Applications
When Ultra Violet light is
mentioned most people immediately think of sunbeds, counterfeit
money detectors,scorpions,CSI,insect traps or fish pond sterilization units.
However, ultra violet light is all around us, not just occurring
naturally from sunlight but manufactured commercially by
companies such as UV Light Technology Limited which, through
high-tech industrial, commercial, public services and medical
applications, make our daily lives more comfortable, secure,
healthier and fun!
From treating vitamin D deficiencies and relieving the unsightly
effects of Psoriasis, UV-A and UV-B light is used in many
treatments and research projects in the world of medicine. Latest
medical breakthroughs include fluorescent dyes used in
conjunction with blacklight to identify cancerous cells in the
internal organs of patients.
In the worlds of science and engineering it is so often vital to
establish the aging effects of the sun on materials for safety
and aesthetic reasons. Ultra violet light sources which closely
correlate to natural sunlight are used in a vast range of
applications from testing aircraft windscreens to examining the
effects of degradation on building materials.
UV blacklight fluorescent inspection processes make working life
easier for quality control engineers, forensic scientists, fire
officers and auction houses to name but a few. Under UV
blacklight hairline cracks can be detected in aircraft
undercarriages, automotive steering systems and many other
critical components upon which our lives may depend. In the field
of forensics UV blacklight helps unearth vital evidence at crime
scenes and plays an important role in identifying the cause of
fires. The inspection of works of art under UV blacklight is a
means of revealing imperfections and evidences of restoration, an
important aspect of authentication for valuation and sale.
The special effects industry has embraced ultra violet blacklight
for its ability to produce stunning visual effects as if by
magic. Festival tented environments use UV responsive drapes, pop
concerts use multi image 'trompe l'oeil' backdrops illuminated by
UV and in night clubs UV is what makes your white clothes glow in
the dark.
Ultraviolet light, or "black light", reveals changes in
elemental composition on the surface of objects because it causes
specific fluorescence in materials depending on composition and
age. Retouching, overpainting, varnishes, adhesives, and certain
types of deterioration that might be invisible to the naked eye,
like mold damage, can be detected and identified. UV fluorescence
can sometimes make erased ink visible, can indicate overpainting
or retouching, and can help identify different types of stains.
For example, oil stains fluoresce orange, wax or starch can be
bluish, or unsized paper deep purple. Different types of mold
stains fluoresce differently, so even the kind of mold attack
might be identified. Often mold attack is apparent in UV
fluorescence even when it is completely invisible in normal
light.
Microbiologists are employing UV-C germicidal lamps within
engineering control measures to reduce infection caused by
airborne transmission of bacterial pathogens within built
environments. Furthermore, some of the water we drink has been
sterilised using UV-C light, as has a wide variety of food, drink
and medical supplies packaging. The blacklight is used for
finding urine stains, scorpion hunting,antiques collecting, pest control people use it for rodent
inspecting, and used at readmission gates in concerts, casinos,
clubs, etc.
Application of fluorescence and phosphorescence for special effects
Fluorescent materials, whilst brighter than most materials under normal light, will glow only when illuminated with ultra violet (UVA) blacklight.
Phosphorescent materials will "charge up" under normal visible light and emit light in darkness. These may also be charged using ultra violet light, for brighter and often longer periods of light emission. As with fluorescent materials the phosphorescent equivalents will glow under exposure to ultra violet light, but phosphors continue to glow when the UV light source is removed.
Summing up everything, a blacklight would be a good choice as
having in one’s possession in this era. From the ability to
locate a tick on one’s body to identifying scorpions, to
fakes and repairs in art, glass, china, pottery and locating
fingerprints, semen, etc at crime scenes. Who knows what the
blacklight might reveal in the latest biological warfare attacks
now being thrust upon the public such as uv to identify stink bugs. One can see the importance of
ownership.
