Unique coating transforms ANY surface into a light-responsive pathway (maybe even Prune Alley?)

||| FROM DAILY MAIL |||

A unique paint-like coating has been developed that could revolutionise street lighting across the globe.

UK-based company Nevana Designs has developed a light-responsive formula called STARPATH that makes ordinary pathways glow in the dark by absorbing UV rays during the day.

The coating, which can be applied to any solid surface including tarmac and concrete, offers an environmentally friendly, cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional street lighting.

In simple terms, the product uses natural earth materials that absorb UV light during the day.

a large green field with trees in the background: (

It then emits a glow in the hours of darkness thanks to the formula’s photo-luminescent particles.

Once applied, the product is suitable for foot traffic just four hours later, and will glow for approximately 10 hours a night.

The formula, which creates a natural appearance in the daytime, comes in a range of colours – glowing green, blue or aqua during the evening.

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Pricing per square metre for STARPATH is determined on an individual project basis, and is based on factors such as granule size, surface depth and desired brilliance level.

When asked what inspired him to create the world’s first global excellence award-winning UV powered pathway, inventor Hamish Scott told the MailOnline: ‘Growing up as a child my father’s passion for the recycling of rubber and plastics, on a commercial scale, always interested me.

‘From that, his vision lead me in the direction of producing a sustainable, eco-friendly solution to help with the global climate crisis.

‘Hence STARPATH was born. My vision was to utilise the Earth’s natural resources to help reduce global energy demands and ultimately lower carbon emissions.

‘STARPATH is a cost-effective solution to traditional street lighting, reducing the need for costly lighting infrastructure and on-going energy costs.’

With operational costs of street lighting at the forefront of providers’ concerns, Scott believes STARPATH can provide an economic, efficient solution to help reduce global energy demands.

Scott told the MailOnline: ‘There are currently over 300 million street lights worldwide. We believe that STARPATH could contribute greatly to reduce the reliance on street lighting.

‘STARPATH harnesses UV energy absorbed during the day, emitting glowing light for up to 10 hours. With the potential to work in conjunction with or completely replace existing lighting systems.

‘It can enhance the lighting effect in traditionally unlit areas without access to traditional power sources.’

Street lighting is an important part of civilisation as it affects the public’s sense of safety, improves visibility for motorists and creates an attractive environment for tourism after dark.

READ FULL ARTICLE: (updated link) www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/unique-coating-transforms-any-surface-into-a-light-responsive-pathway/ar-AAKMxsl

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5 Comments

Gail Glass June 7, 2021 at 5:39 pm

What an awesome idea and concept! Why not Prune Alley? This appears to be a very timely development. So preferable to overhead lighting and apparently self sustaining and absolutely 100% energy efficient. Wow!!
Margot+Shaw June 7, 2021 at 5:46 pm

So, how does this (great idea) relate to downtown Eastsound? Who was motivated to share it with us?
Kathleen+Lunde June 7, 2021 at 6:00 pm

Yes, please!
Steven Jehly June 7, 2021 at 6:21 pm

Before the County starts drilling holes in Prune Alley for street lighting they should look into this. Sounds like a great technology. Just wondering, what is the down side?
Michael Johnson June 8, 2021 at 9:11 am

An environmentally friendly, cost-effective, sustainable alternative to traditional street lighting using natural earth materials that absorb UV light during the day, and once applied emits a glowing surface for apprx. 10 hours during the hours of darkness using particles that will last over 25 years that having the potential to work in conjunction with or completely replacing existing lighting systems thereby becoming a cost-effective solution to traditional street lighting by reducing the need for costly lighting infrastructure and on-going energy costs… sounds good.

But, as Steven suggests the article gives all the positives, but none of the negatives. The article also does not make it clear whether it produces enough light to “cover an area” (like street lamps do), or does it just illuminate the surface that it’s painted upon. If it does (create an ambient light source), perhaps this will, in time to come, prove a viable replacement for traditional street lamps. Either way I feel that this idea is a cool one… it’s a good start. My hat’s off to those who’s futuristic thinking results in low-carbon emitting inventions such as this.

Having lived in heavy snow county before has always made me wonder whether there’s something that could be added to the mix which would create enough heat to keep ice and snow from accumulating on sidewalks and roadways.