A wearable device that doesn’t need to charge, to measure exposure to UV Light

NP NEWS 24 ONLINE – World’s smallest wearable device to monitor UV light exposure has been developed by scientists that shall come handy in the treatment of neonatal jaundice, skin diseases, seasonal affective disorder and reduce the risk of sunburns and skin cancer.

The device enables precision phototherapy for these health conditions, and it can monitor, separately and accurately, UVB and UVA exposure for people at high risk for melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. The sensor can help warn of impending sunburn to people having exposure to the sun for recreation.

Co-senior author, Dr Steve Xu, instructor in dermatology at Feinberg and a Northwestern Medicine dermatologist, said: “We hope people with information about their UV exposure will develop healthier habits when out in the sun. The UV light is ubiquitous and carcinogenic. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide. Right now, people don’t know how much UV light they are actually getting. This device helps you maintain an awareness and for skin cancer survivors, could also keep their dermatologists informed.”

A small window in the sensor allows light to enter, where it strikes a tiny photodetector. A communication chip in the device transmits the light data to the user’s smartphone and also allows the sensor to access weather and UV index information, which it combines with the light data to calculate when a user has had enough sun. A smartphone alert then informs the user that they may need to get into some shade.

The sensor is battery-free, water-proof, and solar powered. As it is “always on,” the sensor can perform more accurate measurements than currently available dosimeters, which sample light intensity periodically. It is also significantly lighter and less expensive.