Applications Of UV Light
Ultraviolet Light: What is it?
Ultraviolet (UV) rays are basically the Electromagnetic Radiation whose wavelength are in the range of 10 nm to 400 nm. Energy of these rays can vary from 3eV to 124eV. Human eyes are only capable to see lights whose wavelength is between 390-750 nm. Although these lights cannot be seen but human eyes, but still it is visible to many other insects and birds. But humans can also feel the presence of UV rays in many ways. For example UV rays can make the fluorescent materials to glow, so in a sense hey are indirectly visible to our eyes.
Applications of UV light
With the advancement in science, more and more uses of the UV rays are being explored. In the basic day to day life, UV rays are used for the following purpose-
1.> UV Flashlight – UV flashlights is a very important tool in the hands of police and military all over the world as it aids them in detection of blood and many different organic evidences. It is also used to find explosives, for detection of counterfeit currency notes and for many more purposes. Shorter and concentrated wavelength of UV light is used in UV Flashlight for making small particles visible as it illuminates them, which on other hand cannot be visible through lights of longer wavelength. For forensics also, UV Flashlight is an integral tool.
2.> UV Coatings – This is basically the treatment that is provided to the surface for hardening it by the use of UV radiation. This protects the material from the harmful effects of UV Radiation too. Common example of UV Coatings is the coating of paper, wood, Glass and plastic. UV Curable Coatings are also brought in use these days that imparts different types of properties to the polymeric surfaces, examples of which include glare reduction, wear resistance, anti-fogging, chemical resistance etc.
3.> UV Gel – UV Gel nails are basically artificial nails. When you compare these nails to acrylic nails, you will find that these nails look better and more natural. They are considered to look glossier than other type of nails.
4.> UV Drying Systems – Polymerization is the basic principle behind the working of these drying systems. UV radiation is the energy source for the cross linking and polymerization in these systems. UV Drying Systems are brought in use for curing by UV rays. Use of UV curing systems can be seen in the graphics art industry, automobile industry and other industrial applications these days.
But use of UV Lights is not limited just to the above mentioned points. They are also used for sterilization, vaccination (the process is termed as UV Blood Irradiation). At affordable prices UV Curable Coatings provide desirable properties to glass, wood and plastic faces much easily. UV Flashlight is also not only used for purpose of investigation. Biological scientists use it for finding small living things which cannot be directly seen by human eyes. Many more applications of UV light are being discovered now. Yes, one cannot deny about the harmful effects of UV light but we have now learnt to use UV rays to our benefit.
Mike is writing about UV Ultraviolet Systems and UV Systems available at www.cureuv.com