UVC-based disinfection, often called, Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), is the use of ultraviolet (UV) light to kill or inactivate viral, bacterial, and fungal species. When UV-C light is incident upon the target, the incident photons are absorbed by DNA or RNA, causing inactivation of the DNA or RNA double helix strands through the formation of molecular lesions. When enough of these lesions are created, the replication process is disrupted, and the cell cannot replicate. Absorption by proteins can lead to the breakdown of the organism’s cell walls causing the cell to die. For most commercial 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.
UVC LED Disinfection
UV-C based LEDs are a relatively new technology. Examples of wavelengths currently commercially available include 255nm, 265nm, 275nm, and 285nm. However, UV-C LED technology is rapidly developing, and over time new wavelengths will be developed, costs will reduce and efficiencies will increase as has already happened within the red, infrared, blue, and UV-A wavelength LED ranges.
A wavelength of 265nm is considered the optimum as it’s the peak of the DNA absorption curve. However, disinfection and sterilization occur over a range of wavelengths. UV-C LEDs can be manufactured to target very specific and narrow wavelengths. This allows solutions to be tailored to the particular application need.
UVC LEDs vs. Traditional Technologies
Many applications use Mercury based UV lamps for UV disinfection applications but this technology has a number of disadvantages versus LED technology. There is increased regulation around mercury usage and its environmental impact resulting in increased disposal costs and proposed bans in some countries. These systems also require the use of chlorine to enable disinfection and are typically much larger than LED-based systems.
Rapid development solution for UV disinfection applications.
UVC LED System- COBRA Clean FX1
The COBRA Clean FX1, is a compact, fan-cooled UVC LED lamp that provides a uniform line at four available wavelengths – 265nm, 275nm, 285nm and 310nm. The lamp is built utilizing Chip-on-Board LED technology for optimum intensity and uniformity and designed utilizing an established platform for reliability. It delivers a peak irradiance of 55 mW/cm2 and peak energy density (dose) of x 65 mJ/cm2.
This is an ideal lamp for evaluation enabling rapid development of disinfection solutions so you can determine the relevant characteristics for maximized system performance.
Benefits of UVC LED Systems:
UVC LED systems provide a safe, effective solution for UVC Disinfection.
- Environmentally friendly – No Ozone
- Wavelength optimization – UV LEDs can be manufactured to operate at the optimum wavelength for the application
- Instant-on/off and pulsing possible
- Compact form factor – allows for new form factors
- Low power consumption enables increased operational efficiency
Solutions for a Range of Applications:
ProPhotonix can provide solutions for water, surface and air disinfection in:
- Laboratory and Medical
- Packaging materials
- Industrial Applications
- Food processing
Why ProPhotonix?
ProPhotonix has more than 25 years of experience partnering with OEMs to develop innovative, reliable LED systems tailored to their specific application needs. As UVC LED Technology develops rapidly, flexibility to use the optimum LEDs available for a specific application and experience with critical LED System considerations including optical design and thermal management will maximize successful outcomes.
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Bernhard Russell
Inside Sales
Andrea Gregorio
Inside Sales
LED Expertise
With more than 25 years of experience, ProPhotonix has the expertise to balance wavelength, reliability and lifetime requirements to optimize your application.
Full Solution Provider
An experienced design team will take you from concept to completion, working within your budget, timelines, and performance requirements.
Partnership Approach
We work in partnership with our customers developing long term relationships and progressive generations of products with responsive technical & customer support throughout.
