Phosphors exist in different types. All absorb energy when available, and release energy later. The main difference is how quickly they release the absorbed energy.

For a purse/handbag, which is usually closed and therefore doesn't allow energy (like sunlight) to enter, we might need a trick like glowing tritium, to produce energy (fairly steadily for years, and chemically tritium is hydrogen that could be part of a hydrocarbon plastic liner) that the bag lining could absorb. Or we might have a UV light and a battery-- the owner presses a button before opening the bag, which illuminates the bag lining so it can absorb energy. The lining then releases energy so the user can more-easily see the contents of the opened bag.

The obvious alternative to this Idea is a bag with a built-in flashlight, that is turned on automatically when the bag is opened. But that is too easy for the HalfBakery! (Except a couple links below indicate that that didn't prevent folks from posting that idea, anyway.)
-- Vernon, Jan 06 2017

This person lights up a LED from the enrgy of a crystal radio, so it is radio station powered light https://www.youtube...watch?v=gcui0K7JZXA
[beanangel, Jan 06 2017]

(?) The baglite The_20baglite
Prior Art [8th of 7, Jan 06 2017]

Purse Light Purse_20Light
Prior Art [8th of 7, Jan 06 2017]

there might be away to make this work. I have actually seen a crystal antenna coil that draws energy from the air (basically EM from radio stations) to power 1 LED. so have the purse obtain power this way, store it at a battery, then magnificently illuminate the purse at battery powered high brightness when opened.

One of these on youtube has a huge 25 meter antenna though. I do not think purse straps would do it. I do not know what a zigzag 50cm on a side 25 m long antenna would do.

Also I like the UV led idea because actual phosphorescence is groovier
-- beanangel, Jan 06 2017


The clasp could fire a UV flash tube to activate the phosphorescent lining as the bag is opened. Gears on the opening hinge could power a small generator to recharge the flash tube battery.
-- pocmloc, Jan 06 2017


^ yes, but then you'd temporarily blind anything living in there... which could be a good or bad thing.
-- FlyingToaster, Jan 06 2017


The problem is that you really don't want to see what a lady accumulates in her handbag. Even she does not really want to see it.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Jan 06 2017


#include <EOSSAHR.H>

<link>
-- 8th of 7, Jan 06 2017


Wait - is "handbag" a euphemism here? If so, I may have to reappraise this entire idea. And if it isn't, there is another idea to be posted...
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Jan 06 2017


Solar powered version for the outdoor set ?

The bag was large enough to hold a small child and I thought i heard crying.
-- popbottle, Jan 06 2017



random, halfbakery