What else can UV rays be used for?

[RICKYtan]

**For example, drying a surface
--> I know it has an effect on the skin, but if it were contained and blocked from sight, would it still leave any radiation emissions on any hard surface??

 

[Drakkith]

UV radiation does not leave any residual radiation behind, as it isn't neutron radiation. However, it can easily break many molecular bonds and quickly degrade the outer surface of a material. This is one reason the Sun bleaches objects left outside.

Are you trying to use UV light for some purpose?

 

[RICKYtan]

UV radiation does not leave any residual radiation behind, as it isn't neutron radiation. However, it can easily break many molecular bonds and quickly degrade the outer surface of a material. This is one reason the Sun bleaches objects left outside.

Are you trying to use UV light for some purpose?

I was just thinking if UV rays can be used for some good...ultimately I'm curious if it can be used to dry surfaces, like running tracks or roads, without deterring/damaging any of the surface

 

[Drakkith]

I was just thinking if UV rays can be used for some good...

Certainly. Here's a list of applications on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet#Applications

ultimately I'm curious if it can be used to dry surfaces, like running tracks or roads, without deterring/damaging any of the surface

I can't imagine that it would be more effective and cost efficient than other ways of drying the surface. To dry the surface you're going to need to evaporate the water (unless you have a really big towel), which means you'll have to put in some minimum amount of energy, no matter what the method of drying is. Certain methods are better than others, and I can't see UV as being a particularly good way of going about it.

 

[davenn]

it's also used in dentistry for setting of the composite filling material in tooth cavities

 

[sophiecentaur]

it's also used in dentistry for setting of the composite filling material in tooth cavities

And curing a whole host of adhesives. The guy who repaired the chip on my windscreen used a clear resin which was set in about a minute with a UV source held against the glass.

 

[CWatters]

UV light is used to kill bugs/sterilise water...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet_germicidal_irradiation

 

[Redbelly98]

Fluorescent lighting. u.v. is used to excite the phosphor coating on the lightbulb wall, which then emits visible light.

 

[ZapperZ]

Before the NSLS at Brookhaven was decommissioned, it had two separate synchrotron rings: the larger x-ray ring and the smaller UV ring. The UV facility was very useful to study low-energy excitation of materials.

I was one of the beneficiaries of the UV ring at NSLS I. The old lady was showing its age by the time it was shut down, but boy did that place produced a lot of good science!

Zz.