Triboluminescence

Tonight I was opening a sealed envolope in dim light. When opening the envelope I noticed blueish flashes of light where the adhesive was pulling apart. Subconciously I probably was looking out for that, as I already had noticed the phemenomen some years ago.

Googling told me that this effect in called Triboluminescence http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triboluminescence, which means ‘light from rubbing’. Apparently this is one of the messier phemenomens. At least three different mechanisms were suggested. Breaking of polymers, squashing of crystals and surface excitations. During my study of physics I never came accross it. The closest thing was the piezoelectric effect, which has a lot of technical applications.

If I don’t forget about it, I’ll get me some sugar cubes and crush them in the dark.

PS: Is there a something like a TinyMCE for use.perl ? Typing all that markup is tiring.