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Posts Tagged “

Ultraviolet

tricorder

Scientists Build Portable Life-Signs Detector: Tricorder 1.0

A team of US and UK scientists have invented a portable scanner that may be useful in the hunt for life on Mars. And it sounds a whole lot like a Star Trek tricorder: it uses a beam of ultraviolet laser light and detects fluorescence from organic molecules, so it works remotely and doesn't damage samples. Under simulated-Mars conditions, they've used it to detect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (found on comets, thought to be building-blocks of life) in masses as small as 1.5 micrograms. Plus they think the tech could be adapted to be rugged and fitted onto a future Mars rover. Just wait for the handheld version, and for an astronaut to start going "widdlywee..." as they stomp around Mars. [Eurekalert via IO9]

privacy intact

Spy Pen Writes with Invisible Ink, Illuminates with Ultraviol, Then Shreds Messages

Ever get caught passing a note in class? Instead of swallowing the evidence, you droogs can just shred that little piece of your personal life, and your privacy will be intact with this ultraviolet spy pen with a message shredder built in. Ultraviolet? Yes, the pen also writes messages with special ink that can only be read with an ultraviolet light, conveniently nestled within this useful $9 instrument. [Spycatcher, via Oh Gizmo]

digital cameras

Fujifilm IS Pro Digital SLR Camera Has Predator Vision

Forget the visible light spectrum, any camera can hack that. The Fujifilm IS Pro is the most recent camera in Fujifilm's pro lineup that can shoot in the ultraviolet and infrared spectrums as well. Tooled for professional snoops, it also has such gumshoey features as one-touch black-and-white Live Image Preview, post capture face-detection that identifies up to 10 faces per image and Mirror Lock-Up and Shutter Delay to reduce image blur in a long exposure. It's simply the choicest thing to accompany your coffee thermos and box of doughnuts on those long overnight stakeouts. Jump for the details, right from the horse's mouth. More »

advances in brushing

Sonicare Flexcare Toothbrush Brings Ultraviolet Radiation to Give Gums Super Powers

We love our Sonicare toothbrushes. But how could you improve on a design that's prevented any cavities since we started using it? By adding a UV sanitizer. Peter Pachal at Sci Fi has the scoop. More »

gadgets

UV Disinfectant Wand Kills Creepy Crawlies, Lets You Spot Bodily Fluids

The UV Disinfectant Wand looks kinda like a Moto KRZR, but its clamshell shape can be put to an entirely different use. It emits ultraviolet radiation, and it's said to kill 99.9% of the bacteria and viruses in its path. Just 10 seconds worth of this death ray, and bacteria and viral DNA will supposedly be sent packing. Either that or it will give them one hell of a sunburn. More »

gadgets

Rakuten Ultraviolet Toothbrush Cleaner

Rakuten's latest gadget sterilizes your toothbrush in four minutes, preventing the buildup of bacteria and other nasty elements. When the toothbrush is inserted and the lid is shut, an ultraviolet lamp heats up and within four minutes, your brush is as clean as the day you bought it. Pretty handy, especially when you consider how often the average person really cleans their toothbrush. More »

digital cameras

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro UVIR Digital SLR: Infrared and Ultraviolet Camera Sees the Unseen

Fujifilm introduced its FinePix S3 Pro UVIR digital SLR camera, which the company calls the world's first production DSLR that can take photos in the ultraviolet and infrared light spectrum. Fujifilm is marketing the 12.3-megapixel camera to law enforcement agencies, who can use ultraviolet and infrared photography to visualize evidence that's hard to see with the human eye, such as bloodstains and gunshot residue. The S3 Pro UVIR lets those cops and detectives preview all this stuff live in its smallish two-inch viewscreen. More »