We can protect ourselves with ultra-violet light in front of corona viruses?
The threat posed by COVID-19 is around the world everywhere. We are in urgent need of effective ways to combat the novel Coronavirus. Special ultra-violet light to decontaminate in the location of its surface (possibly also air and water), if these are previously with the SARS-CoV-2 Virus in contact.
In the current investigation of the University of California, it was found that special ultra could be used violet light to combat the SARS-CoV-2 Virus. The results of the study were published in the English scientific journal “ACS Photonics”.
What could be used on the light?
A main application of such ultraviolet LEDs, for example, the disinfection of personal protective equipment, surfaces and floors. There is already a small market for UV-C disinfection products in the medical context, report the researchers.
Effectiveness has yet to be demonstrated
In fact, it has directed a lot of attention recently on the power of the ultra-violet light for the inactivation of the novel Coronavirus. As a technology, there is the disinfection with ultra-violet light for some time. And although it is practically usable, it must be proven their large-scale effectiveness against the spread of SARS-CoV-2 yet.
99.9 percent sterilization of the Coronavirus by UV-LEDs
At the beginning of April, it was reported, according to the research group already has a 99.9 percent sterilization of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in just 30 seconds by the use of UV-LED products. This technology is currently being adopted for use in motor vehicles, in UV-LED lamps that sterilize the interior of unmanned vehicles.
Not all wavelengths of UV light are the same
It is in this context worth noting that not all UV wavelengths are the same. Natural UV-A and UV-B waves, for example, be produced by the sun. UV-C, however, is ultra-violet light. Such a light can only be by human-induced processes.
UV-C light, the skin damage
UV-C light in the range of 260 – 285 nm for the current disinfection technologies on the most relevant, report the researchers. However, this light is also harmful for the human skin, therefore, it is currently used mostly in applications in which, at the time of the disinfection, no one is present, explained study author Christian Zollner of the University of California in a press release.
WHO warns of possible dangers
The world health organization, WHO, warns, for example, the use of ultra violet disinfection lamps for the disinfection of hands or other skin areas. Even a momentary exposure to UV-C light can cause burns and eye damage.
How are produced the new LEDs?
The new method for the production of high-quality Deep-Ultraviolet (UV-C) LEDs, a Film of semiconductor alloy aluminum Gallium nitride (AlGaN) is applied on a substrate made of silicon carbide (SiC). According to Zollner, the use of silicon carbide as a substrate allows for a more efficient and cost-effective growth of high quality UV-C semiconductor material as a the for actually, the usual use of sapphire. This is due to the fact that the atomic structures of the materials are closely matched to each other.
How can a high material quality?
“As a General rule of thumb: The more similar (in terms of the atomic crystal structure), the substrate and the Film are related to each other structurally, the easier it is to achieve a high material quality”, explains the expert.
A higher quality, improved efficiency and performance of the LEDs
The better the quality, the better the efficiency and performance of the LEDs. Sapphire is structurally dissimilar, and the manufacture of the Material without errors and misalignments often requires complicated additional steps. Silicon carbide is not a perfect match, but it allows a high level of quality without the need for costly, additional methods, more reported by Zollner.
Goal of the research is an effective water treatment was
In the development of their UV-C LED technology, the researchers had actually, especially the portable, fast-acting water disinfectant in a sense. The durability, reliability and small form factor of the Diodes would play in less developed areas of the world where no clean water is available, a crucial role.
How could be used the new LED technology for the control of COVID-19?
The advent of the COVID-19-pandemic, has added a further Dimension. Since the world is in search of vaccines, therapies and cures for the disease, disinfection, decontamination, and Isolation of the few opportunities that are available to us for defence. In addition to water treatment, UV could be-C light integrated into systems that turn on when no one is present. So the cost could be cheap, chemical-free, and convenient opportunities, to disinfect public, personal and medical rooms. (as)