Technology
Retroreflective beads made from sugarcane waste, an organic glow-in-the-dark material and a glue you could find in your kitchen. Together they make one can that works like a reflective vest — without the vest.
Each retroreflective bead is manufactured from polylactic acid (PLA). The polymeric compound is derived from renewable resources such as bagasse — leftovers from sugarcane processing. Each retroreflective element is within the micrometre range of 0.1–500 µm.
Glow-in-the-dark materials can store absorbed photon energy and emit light for long periods. Our organic long-persistent luminescent (OLPL) material contains no heavy metals or rare-earth elements.
All the primary raw materials used to make gelatin-based glue, or protein glue, can be found in your kitchen. It is non-toxic, recyclable and eco-friendly, with superior performance and short set times.
From field to bead
Bagasse — the fibrous leftover from sugarcane processing — is fermented into lactic acid, turned into lactide and polymerised into PLA. Each bead is 0.1–500 µm across.
Sugarcane production
Bagasse waste collection
Fermentation of sugar
Lactide production
Polymerization
Natural microbeads
Adhesive
All the primary raw materials used to make gelatin-based glue, or protein glue, can be found in your kitchen.
Luminescence
Glow-in-the-dark materials can store absorbed photon energy and emit light for long periods. The chart shows luminescence intensity over time after charging.
Up close
Every bead bounces light straight back toward its source. When headlights hit sprayed fabric, the whole surface lights up — exactly where the driver is looking.