UV-technology (TG 1)

The TG “UV-technology” coordinates activities related to UV spectroradiometry, UV- radiation technology, UV filtering, and UV manipulation in order to:

• Ascertain standardisation of technical approaches across the COST Action,
• Contribute to establishing a common basis of “best practice” across all members.
• To encourage uptake of novel technological advances.

UV manipulations are solidly established in the participating laboratories. Treatments use either UV lamps (in glasshouses, growth rooms, sun simulators or in the field) or manipulation of solar UV radiation and plastic or glass filters that specifically attenuate UV radiation. However, the correct use of action spectra to calculate biologically-effective UV-B (UV that can be compared between laboratories (an area where this COST-action will strongly contribute). Currently, there are discrepancies in the use of UV-measurements, and doses, particularly between “laboratory” scientists and “field” scientists. The TG ‘UV-technology’ will develop experimental protocols, and advise the Action on the use of action spectra ("Generalized Plant Action Spectrum [Caldwell]" or “Plant Damage Spectrum [Flint]”) for weighting radiation. With increasing knowledge about plant responses to UV radiation, and a shift of focus from inhibition to regulatory effects, new weighting functions, based on action spectroscopy must be developed, and this Action will play a coordinating role in this process.

The availability of irradiation sources to deliver either a chosen spectral composition, or monochromatic UV of a selected wavelength band, has long been a real problem. However, technological advances are creating great opportunities. LED can now be obtained for any wavelength, the problem is only cost, life-span and output of radiated watts, but technology is rapidly improving. TG “UV-technology” will liaise with technology-suppliers to facilitate uptake of novel measurement (CCD), filtering (plastics) and lighting (LED, narrow-band UV-B lasers) technologies. Thus, TG “UV-technology” catalyses technological innovation across the network.

The output of TG “UV-technology” is a report on good practice and standard procedures, and this will be available at the end of year one, in order to maximize its impact on research in this Action. This report is an important output of this COST-Action and will be published in a peer reviewed paper as procedural aspects have relevance for a much wider audience than this COST network (i.e. medical and veterinary work). The advice of TG “UV-technology on best practice will also be presented at a network meeting/summer school early in this COST-Action, followed by annual updates at network meetings.