The first idea for Glow Sticks came about in the 1960's. The US Government was looking for a more practical lighting system without using heat. Scientists were also interested in producing light similiar to the light that fireflies produced. The light that is produced from fireflies and Glow Sticks is"Chemiluminescence".

Chemiluminescence is defined as the production of light energy from a chemical reaction without the use of heat or a flame. This type of light differs from other lights such as, phosphorescence which uses a phosphor within the substance that radiates visible light after being energized. Some examples of phosphorescence light are; glow in the dark stickers, TV screens/computer monitors and florescent lights. Chemiluminescent light also differs from incandescent light because incondescent light uses a form of heat to emit light. Some examples of Incondescent light are; light bulbs, or a gas lantern.

The reaction between the different compounds in a light stick causes a substantial release of energy. Just as in an incandescent light bulb, atoms in the materials are excited, causing electrons to rise to a higher energy level and then return to their normal levels. When the electrons return to their normal levels, they release energy as light. This process is called chemiluminesence. The chemical reaction in a light stick usually involves several different steps. A typical commercial light stick holds a fragile glass vial containing a hydrogen peroxide solution surrounded by a solution containing a phenyl oxalate ester and a fluorescent dye. When the chemicals are mixed the hydorgen peroxide oxidizes the pheynl oxalate ester, resulting in a chemical called phenol and an unstable peroxyacid ester. Then, the unstable peroxyacid ester decomposes and an additional phenol and a cyclic peroxy compound are produced. The cyclic peroxy compound then decomposes to carbon dioxide and this decomposistion releases energy to the dye. When the dye receives the energy the electrons in the dye atoms jump to a higher level, then fall back down, releasing energy in the form of light. The light stick itself is just a housing for the two solutions in the reaction--essentially,it is a portable chemistry experiment. You start the reaction by bending the light stick until you hear a "snapping" sound and that is the glass vial inside with the peroxide in it breaking and then the two solutions mix beginning the reaction.

Does Temperature affect the brightness and/or life of the light stick? A container of water with a higher temperature produces a faster rate of chemical reaction. (This produces a brighter glow) Since the reactants were used up quicker, the glow will end sooner. A container of water with a lower temperature produces a slower reaction. (This produces a reduced glow) Therefore, not all of the reactants have been used up and the glow will last longer. Tip 1 By boiling the light stick for 30 seconds, a “dead” glow light stick can be reactivated. This will allow an additional 30 minutes of glow. Tip 2 By placing the light stick in the freezer, the chemical reaction is frozen or suspended. This allows the light stick to be used one more time. ***This works in most cases, but not all.***