IEEE Technology and Society Magazine - September 2021 - 17

3) Photochromic: consumer- and research-based
* Adhesives: LogicInk Sun Signals ($4 each), SPOTMYUV
($1), SmartSun UV, Sunburn Alert (<$1).
* Wristbands: Smartsun UV, Sunburn Alert (<$1).
4) Film-based: physical or clinical research only
* Polysulfone (PS) dosimeter clip-on, requires lab
analysis, require calibration, most used in historical
studies ($0.5).
Figure 1. Novel wearable sensing
technologies, often connected to a
smartphone, allow users to monitor
optimal exposures to sunlight for health.
thus not " real-time " and would not be fit for behavioral
research or public use. The various commercial
UV sensors that are available span form factor,
target audience, and cost and are divided into four
main categories.
1a) Electronic consumer-based, predominantly
public use, or behavioral research1
* Eclipse Rx measures % total exposure and provides
real-time UV index (UVI) with additional
alerts when reaching user-specific limits (~$299).
* My Skin Track UV measures % " max sunstock "
as well as UVI; uses near-field communication
(NFC) (~$60).
* QSun wearables provide a time to sunburn as
well as real-time UVI, with additional alerts when
reaching user-specific limits (~$149).
1b) Electronic broad research and consumerbased
applications
* The shade UV sensor provides " UV Units, "
calculates a % daily limit, and outputs realtime
UVI on a cell phone (~$500). Shade has
three available cell phone apps depending on
their use.
2) Electronic physical or clinical research only
* The Scienterra Dosimeter, version 2, is a highend
research-based sensor providing an erythemally
weighted UV exposure at high accuracy
and user-based intervals, yet post-collection data
download in the given model (V2) (~$300).
1 Note: All four above use proprietary formulas (e.g., for " UV Units, " " max sunstock, "
and so on).
* VioSpor dosimeters (wristband) require lab
analysis ($48).
Most electronic wearables are waterproof or
water-resistant, provide real-time information, and
are Bluetooth-enabled or use NFC. They thus depend
on a smart device and App (apart from Scienterra),
which may be an additional cost. The four top electronic
sensors also have value-added functions such
as sunscreen reminders, monitoring step count
(Eclipse Rx), adding in local weather information
(MySkin Track UV, QSun), and estimating Vitamin
D synthesis (Qsun). Photochromic (color-changing)
sensors (adhesive or wristband) are one-time use
and low-cost ($4 each), and they can be valuable
for behavioral research. These sensors interact with
sunscreen and notify the user of their cumulative UV
dose, hence giving a visual indication of when they
need to reapply sunscreen, cover up, or step out of
the sun. The Scienterra electronic dosimeters, polysulfone
dosimeters, and VioSpor B. subtilis sporebased
sensors require specific software, calibration,
and/or spectrophotometry equipment to interpret
their UVR outputs and are valuable for human-based
clinical research studies.
The personal health and sensor revolution is continually
shifting with novel technologies allowing
person-centric UVR measurements. Each has a specific
and intended use, and such data can aid users
and researchers alike in assessing, understanding,
and/or taking action to receive appropriate amounts
of UV light. Such information can be particularly valuable
for users at higher risk.
Appropriate selection of a given sensor for
research can allow investigation of subjects' sun-protective
behavior practices and general interactions
with wearable sensors, as well as the development
of personal UV prediction models.
While the pace of change in wearable sensing
devices is ever increasing, these wearable UVR
sensors currently provide multiple options for
September 2021
17
IEEE Technology and Society Magazine - September 2021

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