A team led by Professor Yi Ying from the School of Mechanical and Electronic Information at China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) in Wuhan East Lake High-tech Development Zone (Optics Valley of China, or OVC) has recently created a novel ultraviolet (UV) detection technology that is simple, convenient, and cost-effective.

The findings have been jointly published in the prestigious journal Advanced Functional Materials by Professor Yi Ying's team and Professor Sun Jian's team from the School of Physics at Central South University.

With global temperatures rising and the ozone layer depleting, sunlight UV exposure has intensified, leading to an increased need for UV monitoring in daily life. Traditional UV radiation monitoring devices are bulky, requiring various components for data collection, signal processing, and storage, making them costly and less accessible.

Addressing these challenges, Professor Yi Ying's team developed a unique electronic paper and crafted a "minimalist" sensor after years of research. The sensor boasts a resolution of 36 microjoules per square centimeter (36μJ/cm^2), meeting the sensitivity requirements for UV detection.

The cost per single detection using this method is expected to be as low as 0.1 yuan ($0.01), with the total cost of the testing device being less than 10 yuan. Industry experts believe this technology holds significant potential for large-scale commercial use. The team has successfully produced UV dosimeters in the lab and is now moving towards industrial applications.