Research

Research led by staff within the Department aims to increase the knowledge surrounding UV radiation and its interaction with the biosphere. Current research projects include:

• human UV measurements;
• plant UV measurements;

  Dosimeter to measure UV radiation.

• measurement of protective equipment such as hats and shade structures;
• measurement of UV through partial shading of a tree;
• long term UV monitoring;
• filtered solar UV;
• effects of clouds with UV;
• development of new UV measurement tools; and
• UVA dosimetry.

The measurement of UV in the different environments in which we live is a complex task. The Solar UV group is able to overcome these difficulties by the use of various University facilities and equipment that are able to measure the visible and UV wavebands.

The group also produces UV sensitive polymers that are used as dosimeters in the measurement of UV radiation. They are used for the measurement of UV exposures at multiple sites at any orientation during normal daily activities.

The Solar Radiation group has been a part of many internationally refereed journal articles and a monograph since the group's conception in 1993. These articles range in topic from the interaction of UV with humans, plants, shade, cars, roofing materials, and clouds, to the role UV radiation plays with initiating the formation of vitamin D in the human body.