Electrospinning Machine | A Real-Time Solar UVA Dose Monitor Based on Recyclable Azobenzene-Containing Elastomer Fabrics

Challenge: Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a primary cause of skin cancer and erythema, posing an irreversible risk to human health, creating an urgent need for advanced solar UV detectors. 

Method: Professor Chen Aihua from Beihang University proposed a novel flexible UVA detector with real-time monitoring, high performance, and recyclability. This breakthrough was achieved through an engineered oriented composite fabric combining main-chain azobenzene-thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (Az-TPU) and piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] nanogenerators. 

Innovation 1: The molecular structure uses azobenzene units and 4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) as hard segments, while polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMG) forms the soft segments. The physically cross-linked network and uniform microphase separation structure enable the fabric to generate substantial internal stress, resulting in superior photoelectric conversion capability. 

Innovation 2: The device achieved a response time of 80 ms and maintained good linear correlation (R² = 0.997) over a wide light intensity range (0.05-50 mW·cm⁻²). Notably, the fabric achieved dynamic UV monitoring when the tensile strain was 10%. 

Innovation 3: The device integrates Bluetooth communication, allowing real-time data transmission to mobile devices for continuous monitoring of UVA intensity and dose during daily sun exposure. 

https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202507832