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Prototype of UV-C light source with adjustable wavelength for disinfection devices

Grant number: PLTFYARENG54

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Key facts

  • Disease

    Disease X

  • Start & end year

    2021
    2022

  • Known Financial Commitments (USD)

    $3,155,989.28

  • Funder

    Estonian Research Council

  • Principal Investigator

    Feldbach, Eduard

  • Research Location

    Estonia

  • Lead Research Institution

    University of Tartu

  • Research Priority Alignment

    N/A

  • Research Category

    Infection prevention and control

  • Research Subcategory

    Barriers, PPE, environmental, animal and vector control measures

  • Special Interest Tags

    N/A

  • Study Type

    Non-Clinical

  • Clinical Trial Details

    N/A

  • Broad Policy Alignment

    Pending

  • Age Group

    Not Applicable

  • Vulnerable Population

    Not applicable

  • Occupations of Interest

    Not applicable

Abstract

UV-C light has been used successfully for more than 40 years in disinfection, which is effective due to breaking of DNA/RNA molecular bonds of bacteria and viruses. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the demand for UV-C light sources, both in healthcare facilities and in many other areas that require control of the spread of viruses. However, there are problems with mercury based gas discharge lamps, still the most widely used UV-C sources, because of inappropriate emission spectrum and toxic contamination risk. Emission spectra and service life of UV-C excimer and LED sources have also problems need to be addressed. All mentioned drawbacks will be solved in collaboration of materials scientists and engineers developed prototype of cathodoluminescence based UV-C source, which will be designed with adjustable emission wavelength to be set in accordance with the pathogen and to the spectral range, which is probably safe for human skin and eyes.