Electroluminescent wire

Its thin diameter makes it flexible and ideal for use in a variety of applications such as clothing or costumes.

These organic dyes produce colors like red and purple when excited by the blue-green light of the core.

Because of the capacitance load of the EL wire, using an inductive (coiled) transformer makes the driver a very efficient tuned LC oscillator.

In recent years, the LC circuit has been replaced for some applications with a single chip switched capacitor inverter IC such as the Supertex HV850; this can run 30 cm of angel hair wire at high efficiency, and is suitable for solar lanterns and safety applications.

There is also a voltage limit: typical EL wire breaks down at around 180 volts peak-to-peak, so if using an unregulated transformer, back-to-back zener diodes and series current-limiting resistors are essential.

EL wire sequencers tend to be smaller than a pack of cigarettes and most are powered by batteries.

EL wire sequencers are also used for costumes and have been used to create animations on various items such as kimono, purses, neckties, and motorcycle tanks.

They are increasingly popular among artists, dancers,[1] maker culture, and similar creative communities, such as exhibited in the annual Burning Man alt-culture festival.