Does Such a Material/light Exist? Really-Thin Light

[LERsince1991]

I wondered if anyone knows anything about a sort of material that can light up.

Basically I'm making a desk (link in sig) and I wanted to try and fit a light box in the top of the worktop. The MDF is 9mm thick so the limit for the light is about 9 or 8 mm. The size should be about A4 (210x300mm).

I dont really know a lot about lighting so is would be a great help if someone that knows anything more than me could help me work out a very thin light.

I seem to recall hearing about a thin material, (paper) thats glows when a current passes through.

If possible i'm looking for some reply's asap as I've just started making the desk. I didn't think it was possible but now I'd like to see if it is.

any info is GREATLY appreciated.

[mkrishnan]

What is your budget... a hundred pounds, a thousand pounds, or fifty thousand pounds?

9mm is actually a fair amount of space. It seems like there's plenty of room for LEDs with a diffuser, and that would be an inexpensive but effective solution.

[LERsince1991]

budget hmm.. About £30?

I was just looking around, is it possible to get a flat fluorescent lighting, also if possible something with a very long lifespan, like LED's as I was hoping to integrate it so much that it has the same finish as the worktop so it's nearly invisable.

[Aperture]

I think you're looking for electroluminescent paper. There was an episode (http://revision3.com/systm/kiki/) from a popular tech podcast (Systm) that covers it.

Here is the summary:

Light without heat? It's called Electroluminesce when a material generates light directly from electrical current. It's found everywhere from aircraft control panels to Indiglo watches. It's a great way to light up your tech project, from backlighting LCD panels to prettying up a case mod. If you're not careful, however, you could damage the material, or, worse, give yourself a really really nasty shock.

Apparently it is around $60 for an A4 sized sheet.

[LERsince1991]

Thank aperture thats really helpful.
I've emailed some suppliers for quotes and to ask how to set up. It's also not hard to get an animation which is cool.

from what I found cost is about £50 for A4, £80 for A3.

So as for other options does anyone know anything else that would help?
What are my options?

cheers