Erythemal UV Dose and UV Index Measurement at 37th North Latitude and Its Possible Effects on Humans

In this study, UV irradiance and UV erythemal and UV index data of May, June, July and August measured in Adana (longitute=36 E, latitute=37 N altitute=140m) between 2013 and 2019 were analyzed. As a result of the analysis, the average of four months was 14.16 MED (2.9736 J/m2) and the highest value of these four months was calculated as 15.6 MED (3.276 J/m2) in July. The percentage frequency of the total daily UV dose was also calculated and it was determined that the region was under the effect of 70-80% high UV dose. In addition, it was calculated to have a high UV index according to local time (10.00-14.00). It was concluded that this situation poses a great risk for workers working in agricultural areas in the region and for people who spend their summer holidays by the sea. UV Dose-Ozone, UV Dose-temperature, UV Dose-humidity and Ozone-temperature correlations were also calculated. As a result of the comparison, it was found that there was an R= -0.64 correlation between UV-ozone, an R= -1.00 correlation between temperature and ozone, and a direct correlation of R= 0.60 between UV radiation and temperature.

Combined UV and IR ozone profile retrieval from TROPOMI and CrIS measurements

Vertical ozone profiles from combined spectral measurements in the ultraviolet and infrared spectral range were retrieved by using data from TROPOMI/S5P and CrIS/Suomi-NPP, which are flying in loose formation three minutes apart in the same orbit. A previous study of ozone profiles retrieved exclusively from TROPOMI UV spectra showed that the vertical resolution in the troposphere is clearly limited (Mettig et al, 2021). The vertical resolution and the vertical extent of the ozone profiles is improved by combining both wavelength ranges compared to retrievals limited to UV or IR spectral data only. The combined retrieval particularly improves the accuracy of the retrieved tropospheric ozone and to a lesser degree stratospheric ozone up to 30 km. An increase in the degree-of-freedom by one was found in the UV+IR retrieval compared to the UV-only retrieval. Compared to previous publications, which investigated combinations of UV and IR observations from the pairs OMI/TES and GOME-2/IASI, the degree of freedom is lower, which is attributed to the reduced spectral resolution of CrIS compared to TES or IASI. Tropospheric lidar and ozonesondes were used to validate the ozone profiles and tropospheric ozone column (TOC). From the comparison with tropospheric lidars both ozone profiles and TOCs show smaller biases for the retrieved data from the combined UV+IR observation than the UV observations alone. While the TOCs show good agreement, the profiles have a positive bias of more than 20 % between 10 and 15 km. The reason is probably a positive stratospheric bias from the IR retrieval. The comparison of the UV+IR and UV ozone profiles up to 30 km with MLS (Microwave Limb Sounder) demonstrates the improvement of the UV+IR profile in the stratosphere.

Assembly of UV-Ozone Reactor to Combat of Coronavirus and Other Pathogenic Microorganisms

The contamination on the surface of objects caused by: fungi, microbes, bacteria and viruses (and also coronavirus) can be solved using UV rays and/or ozone gas. For this reason, a UV-Ozone reactor apparatus with low cost was mounted to test two different types of HID (high intensity discharge) lamps: high pressure mercury vapor lamp (HPMVL) and metal halide lamp (MHL), both with nominal power of 400 watts and E-40 (base, screw) were studied as possible method of disinfection. Each lamp used the respective electromagnetic ballasts and both were manufactured by Osram Company. These lamps have two bulb types: the outer bulb which was removed and it is responsible for filtering the ultraviolet wavelengths and the internal bulb (where there is mercury, argon or metal halide confined at high pressure) that is the main source of ultraviolet rays. The complete apparatus was assembled using: aluminum reflector (used as a chamber), two microcomputer fans and a wooden base covered by an aluminum foil. A rubber strip was placed at the edge of the reflector for better adhesion on the aluminum foil (for better confinement ozone gas). The ozone concentration inside the reactor was measured with a monitor, the temperatures were measured near lamps with a thermocouple and a spectroradiometer with optical fiber was used to obtain the wavelengths. The results revealed to the elapsed time of 2 minutes a maximum peak of ozone concentration of 23 ppm for LVMAP, while the MHL presented 4.5 ppm only. The temperature obtained by HPMVL was lower with 31.5 ºC, while the MHL presented 48.0 ºC. The HPMVL presented higher amount of wavelengths at the ranges: UV-A, UV-B and UV-C, while the MHL presented only UV-A. For these reasons, it is suggested to be most promissory the use of HPMVL to combat the coronavirus and other pathogenic microorganisms.

UV/Ozone Treatment and Open-Air Copper Plasmonics

Thin copper films with thickness ∼28 nm deposited on SiO2 substrate with the vacuum electron beam evaporation method and treated by UV-ozone are studied. It was found that a UV-ozone treatment of the copper film causes rapid formation of the thin ∼3-4 nm oxide film. XPS analysis showed that CuO oxide predominates in this film. The formed oxide film effectively protects the copper against the following oxidation. The presented method of UV-ozone treatment is a simpler and cheaper approach compared to many other ways to form protective coatings of copper to preserve its functional properties. This method can be useful in nanoelectronic, nanooptical, and biosensors applications.

Effect of UV/Ozone treatment on surface hydrophilicity and humidity sensing properties of PVDF-BaTiO3 composite films

In this research work, we have studied the impact of UV/ozone treatment on the hydrophilicity of the PVDF-BaTiO3 nanocomposite film. We have prepared the nanocomposite solution by mixing PVDF (2.5 wt% kept constant) and BaTiO3 nanoparticles (0.25 wt%, 0.5 wt%, and 1 wt% varied concentration). The spin coating technique has been used to deposit the nanocomposite film on the Interdigitated ITO electrode.

Tunable Optical Diffusers Based on the UV/Ozone-Assisted Self-Wrinkling of Thermal-Cured Polymer Films

Tunable optical diffusers have attracted attention because of the rapid development of next generation stretchable optoelectronics and optomechanics applications. Flexible wrinkle structures have the potential to change the light path and tune the diffusion capability, which is beneficial to fabricate optical diffusers. The generation of wrinkles usually depends on an external stimulus, thus resulting in complicated fabricating equipment and processes. In this study, a facile and low-cost method is proposed to fabricate wrinkle structures by the self-wrinkling of thermal-cured polymer for tunable optical diffusers. The uncured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) precursors were exposed to UV/ozone to obtain hard silica layers and then crosslinked via heating to induce the wrinkle patterns. The wrinkle structures were demonstrated as strain-dependent tunable optical diffusers and the optical diffusion of transmitted light via the deformable wrinkle structures was studied and adjusted. The incident light isotropically diffused through the sample at the initial state. When the wrinkle structures deformed, it showed a more pronounced isotropic optical diffusion with uniaxial tensile strain. The optical diffusion is anisotropical with a further increase in uniaxial tensile strain. The proposed method of fabricating wrinkles by UV/ozone-assisted self-wrinkling of thermal-cured polymer films is simple and cost-effective, and the obtained structures have potential applications in tunable optical diffusers.

Emerging Contaminants: An Overview of Recent Trends for Their Treatment and Management Using Light-Driven Processes

The management of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in water bodies is particularly challenging due to the difficulty in detection and their recalcitrant degradation by conventional means. In this review, CECs are characterized to give insights into the potential degradation performance of similar compounds. A two-pronged approach was then proposed for the overall management of CECs. Light-driven oxidation processes, namely photo/Fenton, photocatalysis, photolysis, UV/Ozone were discussed. Advances to overcome current limitations in these light-driven processes were proposed, focusing on recent trends and innovations. Light-based detection methodology was also discussed for the management of CECs. Lastly, a cost–benefit analysis on various light-based processes was conducted to access the suitability for CECs degradation. It was found that the UV/Ozone process might not be suitable due to the complication with pH adjustments and limited light wavelength. It was found that EEO values were in this sequence: UV only > UV/combination > photocatalyst > UV/O3 > UV/Fenton > solar/Fenton. The solar/Fenton process has the least computed EEO < 5 kWh m−3 and great potential for further development. Newer innovations such as solar/catalyst can also be explored with potentially lower EEO values.

Efficiency Boost in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells by Post- Annealing UV-Ozone Treatment of TiO2 Mesoporous Layer

The organic residues on titanium(IV) oxide may be a significant factor that decreases the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Here, we suggest the UV-ozone cleaning process to remove impurities from the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles before dye-sensitizing. Data obtained from scanning electron microscopy, Kelvin probe, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy showed that the amounts of organic contamination were successfully reduced. Additionally, the UV-VIS spectrophotometry, spectrofluorometry, and secondary ion mass spectrometry proved that after ozonization, the dyeing process was relevantly enhanced. Due to the removal of organics, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the prepared DSSC devices was boosted from 4.59% to 5.89%, which was mostly caused by the increment of short circuit current (Jsc) and slight improvement of the open circuit voltage (Voc).