Ultraviolet Light
Ultraviolet Light: An Introduction
Electromagnetic Radiations with wavelength in the range of 10 nm to 400 nm are called as Ultraviolet (UV) rays. Their energy varies from 3eV to 124eV. This light is invisible to humans, but can bee seen by many insects and birds. Humans can only see lights with wavelength between 390-750 nm. But we can say that to humans also, Ultraviolet light is indirectly visible in the sense that they cause fluorescent materials to glow. They are found in sunlight and are responsible for sunburn and their large dose can also cause skin cancer.
Ultraviolet light – Applications
As science has advanced, more and more uses of ultraviolet light have been explored. Basically Ultraviolet light is used for following purposes:
1.> UV Flashlight – This light is being used all over the world by the police and the military to detect blood and other organic evidences, to find explosives, to detect counterfeit notes and much more. The UV Flashlight use shorter and concentrated wavelength of ultraviolet light to make small particles visible by illuminating them, which are in other case not visible by lights with longer wavelength. UV Flashlight is an integral tool for the forensics.
2.> UV Coatings – This refers to the treatment given to the surface which either makes the surface harden by UV radiation or which protects the material from its harmful effects. UV Coatings of paper, wood, Glass and plastic are its common example. UV Curable Coatings are used these days to impart various types of properties to polymeric surfaces, for example glare reduction, anti-fogging, chemical resistance, wear resistance etc.
3.> UV Gel – UV Gel nails are a kind of artificial nail. These nails are said to look better and more natural than other type of nails like acrylic nails. They also have a glossier appearance.
4.> UV Drying Systems – The drying effect is based on the principle of polymerization. The energy which is required for this cross-linking or polymerization is provided through UV Radiation. UV Drying Systems are used in curing by UV rays. UV curing systems are employed these days in the graphics art industry, automobile industry and for other industrial applications.
UV Lights are also used for the purpose of sterilization and these days they are also used for vaccination and the process is termed as UV Blood Irradiation. UV Curable Coatings have now transformed the face of glass, wood and plastic industry by providing various desirable properties much easily and at an affordable price. Same is the case of UV Flashlight. They are not only employed for investigation purposes. They are even used by the biological scientist to look for very small living organisms which are not clearly visible to the human eye. There are many more applications of UV light apart from these examples and each and everyday; more of their uses are being discovered. Yes, it is right that UV light is harmful to humans if exposed directly but humans have now tapered the art of utilizing the UV rays to their own advantage.
Mike is writing about UV Curable Coatings and UV Gel available at www.cureuv.com
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