Mobile ultraviolet light: Transform your smartphone into a UV flashlight

Last update: 08/05/2024
Author Sebastian Vidal

mobile ultraviolet light
You can transform your smartphone into a UV light flashlight without the need to buy additional accessories. Although cell phones are not designed to natively emit UV light, with a little creativity and some common materials, you can achieve this effect easily. UV light, also known as black light, is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum invisible to the human eye. However, this light has the ability to make certain materials and substances glow in the dark, making it a useful tool for a variety of applications, from stain and fluid detection to art and entertainment.

Materials necessary to create UV light with your mobile

To carry out this experiment, you will only need the following items:

  • A smartphone with LED flash
  • Transparent tape
  • Blue and purple permanent markers
  • A fluorescent marker (usually yellow or green)

Try your new homemade UV flashlight

Step by step: Convert your LED flash into a UV flashlight

  1. Cover the LED flash of your smartphone with several layers of transparent adhesive tape, making sure it is completely covered.
  2. Paint the surface of the adhesive tape with the blue permanent marker, covering the entire LED flash area. Let it dry for a few seconds.
  3. Place a second layer of tape over the first and paint again with the blue marker. This will intensify the light filtering effect.
  4. Finally, add a third layer of masking tape and paint it with the purple marker. This will help block visible light further and allow only ultraviolet light to pass through.
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Try your new homemade UV flashlight

To check if your UV flashlight is working properly, follow these steps:

  1. Write or draw something on a piece of white paper with the fluorescent marker.
  2. Turn off the lights of the room and activate the flashlight function of your smartphone.
  3. Point the flashlight at the paper and watch how the drawing or text shines brightly in the dark with bluish or greenish tones, depending on the color of the fluorescent marker used.

Although this method is not as powerful as a professional black light lamp, it can be a fun and creative way to investigate the invisible world of ultraviolet light using only your smartphone and some common materials.

Materials necessary to create UV light with your cell phone

Mobile applications that simulate UV light

If you prefer a simpler solution, there are mobile applications that simulate the effect of ultraviolet light without the need to modify your device. One of the most popular is UV light simulator, available for Android in the Google Play Store.

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These apps use your smartphone screen to emit a violet light that mimics the effect of UV light, although they are not capable of making fluorescent materials glow like a true black light lamp would.

Whether you decide create your own UV flashlight with homemade materials or you prefer to use a simulator application, now you know how to take advantage of your smartphone to explore the fascinating world of ultraviolet light. Have fun experimenting with this technique and discover everything that black light can reveal around you!