VietNamNet Bridge - Le Long Ho, a student at the HCM City University of Natural Sciences, has invented an umbrella which can help protect people’s skin from ultraviolet rays (UV).

Though skin covers and protects human body, it is extremely vulnerable to the sun. UV rays can cause wrinkles, sunburn and cancer.

Many people wear hats, protective masks and thick clothes when they are under the sun. However, scientists pointed out that the clothes made of normal materials will not help people against the destructive power of UV rays.

Ho, who understands that people need special materials to protect themselves from the sun, decided to make an umbrella which people can use while traveling or attending outdoors activities.

Ho said he cut his brand new shirt, which he bought with money he earned from private tutoring, into pieces to try his anti-UV umbrella.

“I cut the shirt to measure the intensity of the light containing UV and compared it with fiberglass which I used to make the umbrella,” he explained.

It is very difficult to find fiberglass, aluminum-plastic composite and polyester and Ho had to ‘visit every corner of HCM City’ to find the materials which can satisfy his requirements for fiber density and diameter.

The two-way automatic system he designed makes it convenient for people to use. It is easily held because it does not take much room. Its cover is made of polyester which can protect the product.

The production cost is reasonable and the materials, which can be recycled, are not too expensive.

Ho said his products have entered the commercial development stage. Anti-UV umbrellas are available in the market at reasonable prices of VND120,000-150,000, which is not more expensive than umbrellas made of normal materials. 

Ho now wants to develop anti-UV products. He is considered making large umbrellas which can be used at resorts and tourist sites. He also believes that it is feasible to make protective wear for firefighters and workers at mines and chemical factories.

Kham Pha