UV | Evolving Consumer

Light Time

This long winter has kept many indoors and that means out of the sun. That might not sound so bad, but getting some of the sun’s rays can actually help improve well being. Too much sun and you can burn, even in the winter, but not enough and you might feel downright blue.

So how do you know if you’re getting of the good UV rays? SunSprite is the world’s first wearable device that can track daily light and sun exposure. It can be paired with a smartphone and help users reach personalized goals to get just the right amount of sun to support a healthy lifestyle.

SunSprite, which is now being developed via an Indiegogo crowd funding project, is also unique in wearables in that it tracks the sun’s light and does so through solar power! Video after the jump

If the Weather is Frightful Let it Glow!

Sure we report on all the latest lights that are available to help cyclists see their way in the dark, but a team in the UK is working on a glow-in-the-dark recreational path surface that glows in the dark. The Starpath is designed to absorb and store energy from the sun’s UV rays during the day and releases these at night, which allows the particles in the path to glow.

The concept could eventually be used throughout the city of Cambridge as an alternative to streetlights on foot and bike paths. What a “bright” idea! Video after the jump

Glow Lube

There are plenty of lubes on the market, but the Muc-Off C3 Ceramic Dry chain lube is one that truly promises to stand out. It reportedly features a UV tracer dye that glows in the dark when lit with an included black light flashlight. This might not seem all that useful unless you plan on riding the bike through a retro dance club or laser tag facility, but it does have other uses.

The UV tracer dye allows users to see if it has fully coated the chain with the lube, and the UV dye will wear off when exposed to sunlight anyway. Moreover the lube is also biodegradable and petroleum free but contains boron nitride compounds, fluoropolymers and nano ceramics that the company said provides a low friction drive chain. This promises to create a dry ceramic coating for increased durability and performance in dry conditions.

Muc-Off Official Website

With the Sun Shining, Don’t Forget the Shades

The TV series South Park remains famous – or is it infamous – for the line “don’t forget to bring a towel,” but actually what’s more important than something to dry off with is something to protect the eyes. As winter heads into its last month, it is time for spring break and now comes the time to remember that if you’re heading outside you should be sure to bring sun glasses. In other words, if the sun is out you need shades for the eyes.

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation over a short period of time can cause photokeratitis, which is like sunburn of the eyes. Symptoms include painful, red eyes, extreme sensitivity to light, excessive tearing and a foreign body sensation. Photokeratitis rarely causes permanent damage, but long-term exposure to the sun can be more harmful. Continue reading With the Sun Shining, Don’t Forget the Shades