Luminescent materials for building and construction

Light technology is applied in different sectors such as construction and transport. The technology is based on solid understanding of the fundamental principles of luminescence. In fact, luminescence materials are amongst those which are influencing the global economy. For instance, the rapid growth of South Africa's urbanization has put immense pressure on existing construction materials and resources, as there is increasing demand for the land use for infrastructure, housing, recreation and industrial activity. The term luminescence, which includes both fluorescence and phosphorescence, refers to cool emission caused by the movement of electrons within a substance from higher to lower energetic state, thereby giving off light at normal or low temperatures without generating heat. These materials dominated many parts of infrastructures in different countries including South Africa (SA) in the form of safety signs and ornaments. Recycling of the materials is not popular in literature and is a part of continuous research and development in different concerned institutions. Researchers have realized that mixtures of materials can show superior properties compared with their pure counterparts. These chapter covers the most common luminesce materials used in construction and latest research and development in the interest of secular economy in the construction sector.