Arts Thread

Lumeco develops sustainable UV fluorescent dyes and inks from organic materials like citrus peels. Current fluorescence manufacturing is extremely chemically intense, highly ecotoxic and harmful to humans. Lumeco’s innovative synthesis method provides a low-cost and accessible alternative using a microwave. By turning various carbon precursor materials like citrus peels, or chitosan, or sugar into alternatives for UV fluorescent inks or dyes, it promotes circularity through turning waste products into resources. Every year, there are more than 100,000 types of synthetic dyes made globally, and about 15-20% of the dyes produced end up as waste effluents that create environmental hazards. Fluorescent dyes are critical in today’s fashion industry as they are used as optical brighteners to make colors on clothes more vibrant. However, producing fluorescent or neon dyes is even more intense as it uses more chemicals, additional wash processes and more labor. Other applications for UV fluorescence range from quality checks in manufacturing, to bioimaging to ion detection, and UV fluorescence can also be used in the entertainment industry for decor like paints or even for body art like tattoos. This project challenges how fluorescence is currently manufactured and produces a proof of concept that is a more sustainable alternative from potential waste by-products. Lumeco fluorescence identifies and validates different precursors that can be synthesised and harnessed for its fluorophores and investigates its possibilities as a pigment or dye for applications in textiles and paints.