Triboluminescence is the emission of light caused by mechanical stress applied to a material. This stress can be from actions like rubbing, crushing, breaking, or scratching.
- When a material is subjected to mechanical stress, it creates a separation of electric charges within the material. As the material reunites, the separated charges can recombine. This recombination releases energy in the form of a burst of visible light.
- Not fully understood: While the basic mechanism is understood, the exact process of charge separation and recombination isn’t fully established and varies depending on the material.