Methods of producing luminescence by application of a time-varying electrical signal to an electroluminescent device are disclosed whereby the entire system remains at open circuit. At least one article, substance or material, the “object”, is employed to alter the electrical signal to the area of the electroluminescent device to a level sufficient to change light emission. Methods are disclosed to relate the light intensity thus produced to a property of the object thereby allowing a measurement of the property. The method may optionally use one or more additional circuit components.