Sunlight

Even though we're warned about the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight, they're essential for the production of vitamin D in the body. Now, scientists are claiming that UV LEDs could serve as a safe alternative to sunlight.

By converting liquid salt water – or tainted water – into steam, it's possible to obtain pure, clean drinking water. Doing so could soon be cheaper and easier than ever, thanks to a newly developed material.

New research has for the first time demonstrated how exposure to Narrow Band Ultraviolet B light (UVB) can directly influence gut microbiome diversity in humans. The research hypothesizes this result is modulated by vitamin D.

​Back in 2014, MIT scientists developed a graphite/carbon "sponge" which used sunlight to convert water into steam. They've now improved on the design, creating a device that produces super-heated steam. It could be used in remote regions to sterilize medical equipment, among other applications.

​While we all appreciate the importance of limiting our exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays, actually keeping track of the amount can be difficult. L'Oréal's new My Skin Track UV is designed to help. It's described as "the first battery-free wearable electronic to measure UV exposure."

​While exposure to SOME sunlight is necessary, we all know that getting too much is not a good idea – among other things, it can cause sunburn, skin cancer and premature aging of the skin. With that in mind, a new paper wristband has been designed to let us know when to seek the shade.

Access to clean water is one of the world's most pressing problems, but a team of University at Buffalo researchers has come up with a new take on an old technology that uses sunlight to purify water with what is claimed to be near-perfect efficiency.

UV Sense, L'Oréal's new ultraviolet light sensor, fits on the user's thumbnail. To get a reading from the device, you have to pass your smartphone over it. What if you want things to be even simpler, though? Well, you might want to try the no-phone-required LogicInk UV.

A team of researchers at the University of Alberta in Canada has uncovered an extraordinary new, previously undiscovered, fat-burning mechanism. The new study reveals fat cells just under the skin are sensitive to a specific spectrum of sunlight and shrink when exposed.

​We've already seen bracelets that monitor the wearer's exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Now, L’Oréal has teamed up with Northwestern University to create a thumbnail-mounted gadget that does the same job. According to the university, it is the world's smallest wearable device.

Concentrating solar power (CSP) plants can be a key part of a renewable energy strategy, but progress is often focused on larger facilities. Now, engineers from Sandia National Laboratories are improving the efficiency of smaller plants, designing a new receiver that can absorb much more sunlight.

MIT researchers have created a unique bubble-wrapped sponge that can boil water through the absorption of sunlight.