Harvard University researchers have developed a chemical-based method for transmitting alphanumeric information in the form of light pulses.

The “infofuse” is made of nitrocellulose strips covered with patterns of dots made of salts of the elements lithium, rubidium, and cesium. When the strip is ignited, the flame travels forward and reaches the dots one after the other. The heat causes the elements to emit light at characteristic wavelengths.

The dots may contain combinations of three different salts, resulting in seven possible combinations. A combination of two dots thus allows for 7×7 = 49 different signals.

A color camera or fiber optic cable coupled to a spectrometer could receive the signal.

The researchers hope to develop a light, portable, non-electric system of information transmission that can be integrated into modern information technology for sending messages by emergency services, for example.