Ledger · 2026-09-01 · Materials Science / Photoluminescence

Long-Afterglow Strontium Aluminate Phosphors via Sol-Gel Auto-Combustion

Rejected

This concept did not clear the framework. The reasoning is published in full below.

Why it failed

Assessment

Voided under Sub-Test B (Like-for-Like). The performance table compares afterglow duration against ZnS:Cu (a lower product class with 1-2 hr glow) to claim a >10x gain, while anchoring market price ($30/kg) to existing commercial solid-state SrAl2O4 which already achieves 10+ hr glow.

Claimed advantage

>10x afterglow duration and >10x initial brightness compared to ZnS:Cu

Named comparator: Copper-doped Zinc Sulfide (ZnS:Cu) / Solid-State SrAl2O4

Also flagged

A rejection is not a claim that the science is wrong. It means the venture case did not survive: the comparator was not what the buyer actually buys, the comparison was not like-for-like, the advantage fell short of a step change, or the capital and time to first revenue were prohibitive.


Assessed 2026-09-01 against seven gates plus the voiding sub-tests. How the method works · Browse all concepts