Smartphones aren’t just for texting and Facebook— a University of Southern Queensland PhD student is currently researching the ability of smartphones to detect ultraviolet-A radiation.
Damien Igoe said recent studies have strongly suggested that ultraviolet-A (UVA) radiation is a major contribution to skin cancer, amongst other conditions.
“One of the main motivations (for the research) is that smartphones are very widespread and this everyday technology has a great array of sensors that could be used by just about anyone,” Mr Igoe said.
“This includes using the camera’s image sensor with the appropriate filters to detect ultraviolet radiation.
“The ability of smartphones to detect UVA could, by increasing public awareness, potentially reduce the risk of skin cancer that is very common in Australia.”
Mr Igoe said a CMOS-based smart phone image sensor (consumer complementary metal oxide semiconductor) possesses inherent sensitivity to ultraviolet-A radiation and his research so far has supported the idea that smartphones can be used for scientific monitoring of UVA.
Mr Igoe is currently a Physics, Science and Maths teacher who majored in Physics (Atmospheric Science) through USQ.
His PhD supervisors include Professor of Radiation Physics Alfio Parisi and Associate Professor in Physics Brad Carter.
“I have always had a major interest in the dynamics of the atmosphere, particularly issues related to air quality and climate change,” Mr Igoe said.
“But my interest in solar UV research and related studies has come about quite recently.”
Mr Igoe expects to complete his PhD by the end of the year.
Media contact:
USQ: Callum Johnson, 4631 1856, callum.johnson@usq.edu.au
Jim Campbell, jim.campbell@usq.edu.au, Ph: 07 4631 2977, 0434 491 129
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