Monitoring UVC LED Disinfection 

UV-C lamps have traditionally been employed for germ removal and sanitization techniques. They are capable of damaging the molecular structure (or DNA) of a virus (or microorganism) and thus preventing replication of the virus/microorganism. For most applications, the wavelength varies from 200nm to 285nm. Being at the peak of DNA absorption curve, 265nm is considered to be the most optimum wavelength for UV-C disinfection. 

UV-C LED systems can be manufactured to target optimum and extremely narrow wavelengths. This allows for maximum disinfection levels which can also be monitored and controlled through a number of ways, as discussed below. 

Parameters to monitor for effective disinfection 

The wavelength, irradiance and contact time between virus and UV rays are three vital parameters to monitor for effective disinfection. Effective disinfection can occur at different wavelengths. For example, sometimes the optimum peak wavelength at 265nm may not be as effective as an alternative wavelength which delivers higher intensity and dose at a more efficient cost.  

The distance of the target from the light source is also an important parameter. Depending on the type of disinfection being done- water, surface or air, the dosage could vary in a number of ways. UV-C LEDs systems enable better monitoring and control over wavelength, power and dose of the UVC LED, which makes it a superior choice in terms of disinfection. COBRA Clean FX1 is an excellent choice with predictable light output, precise control, and is ozone-free and heavy metal-free. 

Strategies for Ensuring Effective Disinfection 

In addition to selecting the right UV-C light source, there are some strategies that can be implemented to make UV based disinfection (also termed Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation or UVGI) most effective.

1. Proper installation, positioning and maintenance of UVC LED devices

For effective disinfection, there must be a line of sight from the UV–C source to the surface/target to be disinfected. It is important to note that UV–C light products cannot penetrate particles like dust or oils, so dirty surfaces will cause effectiveness to drop. Thus, UVC LED disinfection devices must be regularly wiped with a wet cloth dipped with anhydrous ethanol or isopropyl alcohol for the best results.

2. Monitoring dosage and exposure time

Some microorganisms have built up some immunity to UV. Therefore, a higher dose of UV must be deployed to kill these microorganisms. Indeed, the type of microorganism targeted can impact results. For example, 265nm is considered the optimum wavelength to use for disinfection but 275nm has been shown to disinfect E. Coli. 

3. Ensuring proper coverage and surface disinfection

Microorganisms cannot be affected if they are not exposed to UV-C light.  Any area where a shadow occurs from an obstacle not allowing the UV-C light to shine will have no effect on the organism. Additionally, the presence of particles can protect microorganisms from UV-C, for example, UV-C is not effective in highly turbid water due to low transmissivity. 

Technologies and Tools for Monitoring and Control of UVC LED Disinfection 

Harnessing the right technologies and tools is paramount when it comes to monitoring and controlling UVC LED disinfection systems.

1. Radiometers

Radiometers measure heat radiation and can detect UV-C light, which is not visible to the naked eye. A radiometer usually consists of a UV-C sensor and a display. The UV-C sensor consists of a receiver which is used to detect the properties of UV-C and converts it into irradiance or dose which is then as a numerical value on the display. Radiometers are ideal for determining the efficiency of your UV LED source and ensuring that you are providing the optimum intensities for high-level disinfection.

2. Dosimeters

Dose indicators or dosimeters are used to measure dose uptakes and help decide if the correct UV-C dose has been achieved or not. Dosimeters are quite useful when you want to check whether UV-C light is reaching where you want it to reach for proper disinfection. One downside of dosimeters is that they are highly reactive to other sources of light such as sunlight and thus need storage in dark places. 

3. Real-time monitoring

Real time UV-C dose monitoring is useful for disinfection confidence, UVC LED lamp performance, dose performance, and exposure safety. Detectors, sensors when coupled with custom controlled software tools assist in monitoring UV LED light sources and get regular, automated updates to keep an eye on the efficiency of disinfection being done. 

Success Stories

1. UVC LED disinfection in healthcare facilities

When ranging from wavelengths between 250-270nm, UV-C light is absorbed by microbial DNAs and has proved highly successful in inactivating pathogens such as E. coli, L. innocua, and COVID-19. During the COVID-19 pandemic, UV-C light disinfection was used extensively for sanitization of hospitals, buildings etc. From UV disinfection robots to deep UV sanitizers, UV LED technology was capable of terminating nearly 99.99% of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 2 min at a distance of 1 m. (Source) 

2. UVC LED water disinfection

As an innovator in UVC LED disinfection, ProPhotonix participated with a consortium– REWATERGY comprising of University of Cambridge (UK), Rey Juan Carlos University (Spain) and Ulster University (UK) as well as Delft IMP (Netherlands) and FCC Aqualia (Spain). The consortium was awarded an EU Horizon 2020 grant to develop innovative reactor solutions for disinfection of water utilizing UVA and UVC based LED technologies.

Conclusion 

As we look to the future, UVC LED disinfection will continue to play a pivotal role in safeguarding our health and environment. From healthcare facilities to water treatment innovations, its applications are a testament to its effectiveness. 

To stay on the cutting edge of UVC LED disinfection or explore its implementation in your industry, don’t hesitate to reach out to ProPhotonix. Visit our UVC LED Systems page for information on our range of UVC Solutions. Contact us directly if you have specific application requirements for your UVC LED disinfection system. 

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A UVC light-emitting diode is a semiconductor device that emits light in the 200-280nm range when an electric current is passed through it. UV-C light is proven to reduce or eliminate E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and other foodborne pathogens. In addition, preliminary research utilizing UV-C LEDs to combat SARS-COV is encouraging. UV LED manufacturer Seoul Viosys and SETi’s Violeds Technology proves 99.9% sterilization of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in 30 seconds.

In UVC Disinfection applications, the radiation is absorbed by the microorganisms’ DNA destroying its structure. This inactivates the living cells. UVC radiation reliably improves hygiene and storage conditions.

Mercury lamps, Excimer lamps and pulsed Xenon were previously the only options for utilizing UVC light for disinfection, but with recent technology advancements, UVC LED technology can now offer many advantages over traditional technologies including compactness, lower cost of ownership, longer lifetimes, and a significantly reduced environmental impact.

How does UVC LED work?

UV based disinfection (often termed as Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation or UVGI) is the use of ultraviolet (UV) energy (electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light) to kill or inactivate viral, bacterial, and fungal species. Different wavelengths of UV in the range of 200nm to 300nm are absorbed by DNA, RNA, and proteins. When UV light is incident upon the target source the incident photons are absorbed by DNA or RNA and cause the inactivation of the DNA or RNA double helix strands through the formation of molecular lesions. If enough of these lesions are created, the replication process is disrupted, and the cell cannot reproduce. Also, absorption by proteins can lead to the breakdown of organism’s cell walls causing the cell to die. For most applications, replication prevention is sufficient. The UV doses required to prevent replication are much lower than required to kill, making the cost of UV treatment to prevent infection commercially viable.

Applications for UVC – LEDs

UVC LED disinfection technology is advancing rapidly in water, surface, and air disinfection in food processing, medical and laboratory, packaging materials, and industrial applications. The three key application areas are:

1. Water Disinfection
2. Surface Disinfection
3. Air Disinfection

1.     Water Disinfection

Growing local and global environmental legislation as well as heightened interest in environmental issues has led to increased development of highly efficient water treatment and disinfection processes. Water disinfection removes, deactivates, or kills pathogenic microorganisms.

Recently, energy-efficient UVC LED technology has led to the development of novel UVC LED reactor designs for the removal of wastewater pollutants, including emerging contaminants, antibiotic-resistant bacterial genes, and pathogens. The flexibility of LEDs allows them to be designed into small domestic settings, commercial units, and most recently industrial-scale systems.

2.     Surface disinfection

UVC LED Technology can ensure surfaces are reliably disinfected in seconds. UVC light is used in food production lines, for example, to disinfect materials efficiently and easily. UVC LEDs have been integrated into high-touch areas such as escalator belts and door handles to reduce the spread of infection. Surface disinfection makes the most sense when the products are prone to contamination.

3.     Air disinfection

In high-traffic areas such as airports, hospitals, and theaters UVC LED technology can be used in Air disinfection. Airborne microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, yeasts, and mold can jeopardize people’s health, contaminate raw materials, and cause food to spoil. Disinfecting air in the supply air ducts ensures efficient reduction of microorganisms for the long term.

What wavelengths are available?

Wavelengths available include 255nm, 265nm, 275nm, and 285nm. 265nm is considered the optimum wavelength for disinfection as it is the peak of the DNA absorption curve. However, disinfection and sterilization occur over a range of wavelengths, and in certain applications, alternative wavelengths should not be dismissed.

UVC LED technology enables the manufacturing of lamps to target specific and narrow wavelengths. This allows solutions to be tailored to the application need.

Advantages of UV-C LED technology

UVC LED technology offers many advantages over traditional technologies. In addition to compactness, longer lifetimes, and a lower cost of ownership, this technology offers significantly reduced environmental impact. LED technology offers energy savings for several reasons. The technology offers higher electrical efficiency, lower heat emissions, and greater control minimizing the energy required in operation. UVC LED technology offers design advantages enabling more compact and robust designs and the ability to customize UV reactors with individual wavelengths. This allows solutions to be tailored to the application need. Choosing LED technology avoids the environmental impact of toxic mercury waste and reduces the need for chemical additives to ensure adequate disinfection.

Additional FAQs

• What is UV-C LED?

A UVC light-emitting diode (LED) works like any other LED. It is a semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current is passed through it. Light is produced when the particles that carry the current (known as electrons and holes) combine within the semiconductor material. Since light is generated within the solid semiconductor material, LEDs are described as solid-state devices. It distinguishes LEDs from other sources that use heated filaments (incandescent and tungsten halogen lamps) or gas discharge (mercury lamps). The UVC wavelength band is defined as being in the range of 200-280nm. Currently, LEDs are commercially available between 255nm to 280nm.

• What is the difference between UV and UV-C?

Ultraviolet light (UV) is in the range of 200-395nm and is of three types: UVA, UV-B, and UVC. UV-C is the UV range of 200-280nm. Typical UVC LEDs in the market emit at 255, 265, 270, and 285nms. While UV-A is now being used in curing applications effectively, UVC LEDs are now starting to be commercialized for applications cleaning, disinfection, and sterilizing applications.

• What is meant by UV-C?

The UVC wavelength band is defined as being in the range 200-280nm. A UVC light-emitting diode (LED) works like any other LED. It is a semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current is passed through it. Light is produced when the particles that carry the current (known as electrons and holes) combine within the semiconductor material. Since light is generated within the solid semiconductor material, LEDs are described as solid-state devices. It distinguishes LEDs from other sources that use heated filaments (incandescent and tungsten halogen lamps) or gas discharge (mercury lamps).

• How long do UV-C LEDs last?

There are several factors that affect the lifetime of an LED including the frequency of use, the temperature of the environment that the LEDs are operating in, and the electrical current the LEDs are operated at. Furthermore, LEDs will reduce in intensity over a period. Luckily, UV-C LED lamp manufacturers provide lifetime based on hours of operation and degree of reduction in intensity. For example, an LED lamp that states a lifetime of 10,000 hours to L80 means that the lamp will operate for 10,000 hours and will reduce in intensity down to no more than 80% of its original maximum intensity in that time period.

• What are the different types of UVC-LEDs?

Today UV-C LEDs are commercially available between 255nm and 285nm. The most popular wavelength is 265nm, the optimal wavelength for disinfection because it is the peak of the DNA absorption curve. Sub 255nm LEDs are in development but are in the research phase.

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For most UVC LED applications, the optimal wavelength is 265nm. But other wavelengths should not be ignored as they may provide greater efficiencies, cost reductions and capabilities in individual applications. There is a greater desire for sustainable and safe solutions so as UVC LED costs decrease and efficiencies increase this technology will become a more viable solution for additional applications in the long term.

Why use an Evaluation Kit?

If your business is looking to develop a disinfection solution or wants to move away from mercury based systems then an evaluation kit can help you to develop a safer, more sustainable disinfection system.  An evaluation product is a complete and compact unit that can seamlessly integrate with your existing systems.  The COBRA Clean FX1 can be configured with numerous optical and electrical options so you can rapidly test efficiency and performance.

Different surfaces have different absorption profiles, so while 265nm might be most ideal  for breaking down DNA, 285nm might be better suited for another application such  as Chlorine removal. Performance metrics including output power, electronic and optical configurations, and wavelengths can all be assessed using the evaluation kit.

Once an optimum specification has been determined for your application, ProPhotonix will partner with you to build on the concept and take it to completion. We have over 25 years’ experience in designing and manufacturing optimized LED systems. Our expertise in optics, mechanics and electronics helps us to build truly custom solutions.  We will work with you each step of the way to produce a custom UVC LED disinfection solution that is high-performing and reliable over the lifetime of the product

Developing the Right Disinfection System

The COBRA Clean FX1 is a complete system – ready for use. It was designed as an evaluation lamp primarily to help R&D and industrial labs evaluate the feasibility of using UVC LEDs.

Key features include

• Four wavelengths available – 265nm, 275nm 285nm and 310nm.
• predictable, high power and uniform light due to optimized heat sinking, active cooling and linear control of intensity.
• peak irradiance of 90 mW/cm ²
• peak energy density (dose) of 90 mJ/cm ²
• numerous optical and electrical configurations

The COBRA Clean FX1 now comes in four wavelengths – 265nm, 275nm 285nm and 310nm. This expands the testing capability of the lamp and offers potential for innovative disinfection solutions.

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COBRA Clean FX1: 265nm UVC LED Line Light

The COBRA Clean FX1 is a UVC LED lamp with strong uniformity at 265nm, peak irradiance of 55mW/cm^2, and peak energy density (dose) of 65 mJ/cm². It is a fan-cooled UVC lamp with a compact form factor and, as with the other LED line lights in the COBRA series, is designed with LED technology.

COBRA Clean FX1 Key Features

• Compact, 265nm UVC LED lamp
• Peak irradiance of 55mW W/cm²
• Peak energy density (dose) of 65 mJ/cm²
• CE and UL certified

COBRA Clean FX1 Key Applications

The COBRA Clean FX1 can be utilized in water, surface, and air disinfection applications in the following industries:

• Laboratory and medical
• Packaging materials
• Industrial applications
• Food processing

Rapid Development Solution

ProPhotonix has developed this UVC LED lamp for rapid development in UVC disinfection applications. This line light can provide an ideal evaluation product for water, air and surface disinfection. UVC LED technology has shown to be effective against pathogens such as E. coli, L. innocua and COVID-19. The COBRA Clean FX1 has been designed for optimal pathogenic performance as the wavelength is set at 265nm, which has been shown to be the most promising wavelength for peak effectiveness. This reliable platform is configurable with various optical and electrical configurations. The COBRA Clean FX1 is also stackable, which means it is available in almost any length in 100mm increments. These features can be tailored for your application requirements, allowing for optimal system performance.

UVC LED Benefits

Traditionally mercury lamps were used for applications requiring UVC. UVC LEDs, however, offer significant benefits over traditional technology. These benefits include:

• Compact form factor
• Longer illuminator lifetimes
• Precise control
• Predictable light output
• Thermal management
• Environmentally friendly: ozone and heavy metal-free

Find more information on UVC LEDs on our  UVC LED FAQ’s page.

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This post will provide an overview of UVC LED technology, describing how UVC light is used in disinfection applications, which wavelength is optimal, a discussion of the safety precautions required with UV light, and a comparison of UVC LED lamps versus the traditional UVC mercury lamps.

What is UVC?

Ultraviolet is the invisible range of light spectrum from 200-395nm. UV light is further categorized as UVA, UVB, and UVC. The specific wavelength range for UVC is 200-280nm. This range of light is commonly used for disinfection applications.

How Does UVC LED Technology Work?

In this type of disinfection, also known as ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), the DNA, RNA, and proteins of the organism absorb the UV light. This causes the inactivation of the DNA or RNA double helix strands, which leads to the interruption of the cells’ replication process. Once the cells are no longer replicating, they are no longer infecting. UVGI only requires enough light to halt replication, which is significantly lower than the amount needed to kill.

UVC Wavelengths

As mentioned, the spectrum of UV light is defined as that between 200-280nm. For a UV disinfection application, the optimal wavelength is 265nm, which is the peak of the DNA absorption curve. UVC LED technology is still developing, however, which means that more wavelengths will become available and the efficiency of LEDs will increase. As this technology develops, costs will also continue to decrease which will make UVC LED a viable solution for an ever-increasing range of applications.

Is UVC Safe?

UVC light has already been used for decades for disinfection applications, but certain precautions need to be taken when using UV lamps. UV light is not visible to the naked eye and can cause damage to the eyes and skin with prolonged exposure. Proper safety equipment, including safety goggles and ensuring exposed skin is covered, should be taken by the operators of UV lamps. It generally takes 4-24 hours for symptoms to develop after exposure, which can include redness of the skin. If eyes and skin are protected, UV light does not pose a harmful threat to operators.

UVC LED vs. Mercury Lamp

Mercury lamps were previously the only option for utilizing UVC light, but with recent technology advancements, LEDs are now commercially available in UVC wavelengths. When deciding whether to use a mercury lamp or LED lamp for your UVC application, there are a few points to consider.

Some considerations are:

• Size – LED lamps are smaller and more portable than mercury lamps
• Cost – Mercury lamps may offer a lower initial cost than LED lights but the total cost of ownership will be higher
• Environmental – Mercury lamps use toxic mercury and produce ozone. An optimized disinfection system with mercury lamps will also need chlorine to ensure effective disinfection. LED lamps do not contain mercury, emit ozone, or require chemicals to ensure effective disinfection
• Energy Efficiency – LED lamps are instant on/off, making them more energy-efficient than mercury lamps

UVC LED Technology Applications

UVC LED lights can be used in a number of water, surface, and air disinfection applications within the following industries:

• Food Processing
• Medical and Laboratory
• Packaging Materials
• Industrial Applications

As the technology continues to develop, new applications and innovative UVC LED solutions will continue to emerge.

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