# Color-Changing Sunburn Sensors These Paper Sensors Change Color With High Exposure to UV Light By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2016-05-27 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-sensor References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/paper-uv-sensors/43557/) & [acs.org](http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/presspacs/2016/acs-presspac-may-25-2016/monitoring-sun-exposure-with-a-portable-paper-sensor.html) A group of scientists and researchers working out of the prestigious [University of New South Wales](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skinworn-sensor) in Australia have managed to come up with an extremely innovative and useful paper sensor that is capable of detecting sunburn. What's great about these particular paper sensors is the fact that they happen to be completely eco-friendly and are also cheap, disposable and portable, making them very easy to use. The paper sensors are treated with non-toxic titanium dioxide and food dye. When exposed to ultraviolet light for a long period of time, the dye in the paper provokes a visible change in color that can easily be detected by the naked eye, warning users that they're inviting sunburn. These innovative sunburn sensors will appeal to people who want a non-invasive and hassle-free way to [avoid sunburn](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uv-guardian). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.9/10 - Popularity: 47% | Activity: 63% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Eco-friendly Sunburn Prevention:** This trend highlights the demand for sustainable and non-toxic solutions to prevent sunburn. - **Affordable and Disposable Sensors:** This trend involves the development of low-cost and easily accessible paper sensors for detecting sunburn. - **Portable Skin Protection:** This trend focuses on the growing need for portable devices and tools to monitor and prevent sunburn. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Health and Wellness:** This industry can utilize the innovation in eco-friendly sunburn prevention to create sustainable sun protection products. - **Outdoor Recreation:** This industry can incorporate affordable and disposable sensors to enhance sun protection measures for outdoor enthusiasts. - **Beauty and Skincare:** This industry can tap into the trend of portable skin protection by developing wearable sunburn prevention and detection solutions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Wearable Skin Protection Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wearable-uv-detector.md) - [Printed Sunscreen Posters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sun-safety-poster.md) - [AI Sun Care Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burnable-billboard.md) - [UV Damage-Detecting Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uv-damagedetecting-camera.md) - [Natural UV-Blocking Bioactives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stress-activated-cyanobacterial-uv.md) - [Biomaterial Color-Changing Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sensibiom-2.md) - [Color-Changing Wound Dressings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/colorchanging-wound-dressings.md) - [UV Protection Developments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfrepairing-uv-tech.md) - [Non-Chemical Sunscreens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kaos-biore.md)