| Abstract: | A fluorescent composition includes at least one of a fluorescent sensor
compound and organic reporter molecules encapsulated in a microsphere
structure. When encapsulated, the fluorescent sensor compound and the
organic reporter molecules are distributed in a liquid organic matrix.
When non-encapsulated, the remaining one of the fluorescent sensor
compound and the organic reporter molecules reside in the matrix. In
response to a force applied to the composition sufficient to break at
least a portion of the microsphere structure, the fluorescent sensor
compound and the organic reporter molecules are transformed into a
non-reversible fluorescent state exhibiting a quantum yield greater than
0.2. The fluorescent state is objectively visually verifiable without
physically contacting the composition. |