Development of a UV Index Sensor-Based Portable Measurement Device with the EUVB Ratio of Natural Light

Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are electromagnetic waves that account for about 5% of solar light, and when overexposed, they pose malevolent effects on human skin and health. However, with recent reports on the beneficial effects of some wavelength bands of UV rays, people’s interest in UV information has increased. This has resulted in requiring not just simple information, such as the amount of UV or UV index (UVI), but detailed UV information that directly affects health, such as EUVB (erythemally weighted UVB). However, calculating EUVB, which can be done by applying the erythemal weighted function on the intensity value in wavelength, requires specialized optical measurement devices, which cannot be easily accessed by the general public; furthermore, public institutions’ UV information services do not offer EUVB information for individuals. Therefore, the present study proposes a UVI sensor-based portable measurement device, with which the general public can have easy access to UV-related information. The proposed device comprises a UVI sensor that can measure the intensity of erythemal UV radiation, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module that supports communication, and a micro controller unit (MCU) for key operations. In addition, it applies the ratio of EUVB by month/time, resulting from the actual analysis of natural light to calculate the EUVB and provides the amount of UVI and EUVB to check if they meet conditions required for outdoor activities through the device and smartphone applications. The applicability of the proposed device was verified by the measurement performance comparison test with the standard device, a spectrometer (CAS 140 CT), which showed an average error of 0.045 for UVI and 0.0014 W/m2. The proposed device’s offering of UV-related information such as UVI and EUVB to the user is expected to prevent potential damage due to exposure to UV and to support healthy outdoor activities.

Black-Silicon Ultraviolet Photodiodes Achieve External Quantum Efficiency above 130%

“…While the results can readily have a significant impact on the UV-sensor industry, the underlying technological concept can be applied to other semiconductor materials, thereby extending above unity response to longer wavelengths and offering new perspectives for improving efficiencies beyond the Shockley-Queisser limit. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.117702 Ultraviolet (UV) sensors are currently being utilized in a wide range of applications, including spectroscopy, imaging, flame detection, water purification, and biotechnology-just to name a few [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Furthermore, an annual market growth rate of about 30% is expected [7].…”

Development of UVB LED Lighting System Based on UV Dose Calculation Algorithm to Meet Individual Daily UV Dose

“…IoT UV measurement devices using UVI sensors must be calibrated through comparative experiments with the reference equipment. Their performances can be improved by applying the correction formula that reflects regional characteristics and seasonal characteristics [16]. For the calibration and performance evaluation of the IoT UV measuring device, UVI from the noon (12 p.m.) until the sunset on 21 February 2019 at the latitude of 36.85 and the longitude of 127.15 (Kongju National University, Korea) was used.…”

“…As exposure to natural light and UV rays becomes difficult, various studies and efforts are being made to provide UVB indoors. In some research papers, recommended time and methods for optimum exposure to UV according to skin type, age, and current UV index (UVI, Ultraviolet index) are suggested [15], and a portable measuring device that provides information about UV during outdoor activities and consequent estimated amount of vitamin D synthesis was developed [16]. However, such methods only either suggest to the user a duration for outdoor activity or provide passive information about estimated amounts of UV and vitamin D synthesis.…”

Development and Effect Analysis of UVB-LED General Lighting to Support Vitamin D Synthesis

“…As awareness regarding the positive aspects of UV light from sunlight increases, appropriate exposure to sunlight is being recommended to maintain and improve health. A portable UV light-measuring device has been developed to ascertain the level of UV light exposure outdoors [13]. In addition, government agencies and meteorological agencies in some countries provide local UV intensity information [14,15] and have suggested adequate exposure time to specific areas of concern for vitamin D deficiency [16].…”