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Science & Tech.
Pradeep Kumar

30/05/21 12:45 PM IST

Human eyes protection from harmful laser radiation

In news

Scientists have found that the natural indigo dye extracted from leaves of a plant of the bean family is capable of protecting human eyes from harmful laser radiation.

Highlights
  • It could be used to develop optical limiters useful in weakening the potentially harmful radiation and protecting the human eyes or other sensitive optical devices from accidental damage in an environment where such lasers are in use.
  • The blue dye extracted from Indigoferatinctoria or the famed Indigo plants has been used over the years to colour clothes and clothing materials.
  • Although synthetic indigo dyes are now available, the natural variety also is in common use. 
  • It is extracted from the leaves of the plant, following standard protocols in scientific laboratories.
About the research
  • The researchers extracted the dye and stored it in a refrigerator below 4º Celsius to preserve its natural properties.
  • Their study on how much it absorbed light at different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum show edthatthe absorption is maximum in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum, ata wavelength close to288 nanometres, and in the visible region, close to 660 nanometres.
  • The absorption is comparatively high for the green light as well.
  • “Indigo absorbs light because of molecular absorption bands.
  • The maximum absorption wavelength can vary over several nanometers depending on the dye’s solvent and concentration,” explains Reji Philip, professor at RRI and a co-author of the study.
  • The absorption’s variation with wavelength indicated that chlorophyll, an organic compound that takes part in photosynthesis, is present in the dye.
Source: PIB

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