TECH

Paper and ink sensor can help with skin cancer prevention

Vipul Bansal, Professor of Applied Chemistry and Environmental Science at Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia, has created a gadget to control the amount of vitamin D absorbed by the body.The idea came at a time when the teacher noticed a lack of this type of vitamin. Bansal considered all forms of restoring ideal values ​​for the proper functioning of the human body, but concluded that the easier way to do it (sunbathing) can also lead to other more serious problems, such as skin cancer, wrinkles and cataracts. "What I wanted to create was a sensor that would tell me how long I had to go to the sun to get enough vitamin D without having to expose myself to the risks of developing skin cancer," he said in a conversation with Discover Magazine .In the laboratory, Bansal and his team of researchers created a special paint that is capable of monitoring exposure to ultraviolet rays. The substance, which has been developed with phosphomolybdic acid, appears transparent before being exposed to the sun, but is gaining color as the exposure increases.Then the group carried a pen with this ink and drew four faces on a piece of paper, in a spectrum that went from content to sad. As the paper is exposed to sunlight, the faces become visible, and a too long exposure will eventually highlight the sad face. The idea is to get out in the sunlight or put on a protector, as soon as the fourth face is visible.At this point, the sensor is still at an embryonic stage. However, as stressed by the person responsible for this project, the versatility of the product will allow the creation of final versions, very cheap and intuitive. Bansal estimates that when it is ready for mass production, this sensor could cost only a dollar. The final form is not yet decided, but the teacher believes it could be a wearable, a bracelet, or even a simple sticker.



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