UV-C treatment
Lights on, Germs gone: how to use the power and versatility of ams OSRAM’s LED solutions for smart UV-C sanitization to efficiently beat viruses, bacteria and spores.
UV-C treatment and disinfection¹ : the hygiene gamechanger
Did you know that ultraviolet light is a chemical-free, efficient sanitizer?
Together with our customers we develop pioneering innovations that make life safer. Our advanced UV-C solutions make purification and disinfection¹ easy and accessible, for private, business and public spaces. Miniaturization enables the integration of highest-efficiency UV-C LEDs and presence detectors in public and home appliances: embedded in standard light sources to sanitize public spaces, in purification boxes to purify handheld devices or in taps to purify water. Intelligent air filter systems use our UV-C LED's in combination with matching spectral sensors to determine the quality of air with respect to organic pollution. This allows our customers to realize innovative extensions to their systems, e.g. for air conditioning: The combination of UV-C LEDs and spectral sensors enable advanced predictive maintenance solutions for e.g. filter replacement or detection of critical contimination levels w/ spores, fungi or bacteria. End customers can benefit by replacing filters when really needed, as contaminations are not a matter of fixed replacement intervals.
ams OSRAM’s UV-C LED portfolio allows for scalable radiant flux options over a best-in-class lifetime in various power classes. This has the benefit that UV-C LEDs can support flexible and fast switchable designs with space-optimized integration, so exposure to UV-C happens only where and when intended – even inside extremely space-limited structures. In addition, full irradiation is available immediately after switching on while no ozone is generated in treated air. The technology supports pulsed dimming to adjust required dosimetry for fine-tuned reduction rate of pathogens.
Control radiation and ensure full treatment success with UV-sensors
To control radiation and ensure full treatment success, precise UV-sensors can be used to monitor the dose. This either ensures more efficient treatment processes optimized in time and applied doses, regardless of changes in light-source efficacy because of e.g. dirt or dust, or just gives an alarm if requested pruifcation result cannot be achieved. Overdosing is prevented to minimize energy waste, accelerated aging, and higher stress to exposed materials. Condition monitoring and predictive maintenance is achieved by active tracking of UV light source aging.
Benefit from ams OSRAM’s established solutions for presence detection, tamper/misalignment detection or even smart access control as supportive safety measures when deploying invisible UV-C light in areas accessible by humans for upper air, active curtain or full room UV-C purification.
First, our cost-efficient 1D direct time-of-flight (dToF) based presence detection allows active scanning for any moving or static objects which should not be in room while treatment is active. This enables selective blocking or interruption of service in the case of unintended presence. Second, active detection of changes in positioning and orientation of the UV-C light source modules, monitoring sensors, or protective covers is possible. Third, smart biometric access control to tracking that no people are in the room during treatment or device maintenance other than trained and authorized personnel.
Please note that the effectiveness of the UV-C LED technology is significantly influenced by the specific implementation in the end application. Depending on the mode of operation, devices based on the UV-C LED technology emit highly concentrated visible and non-visible light which can be hazardous to the human eye and skin. Products which incorporate these devices have to follow applicable safety regulations.
¹Our UV-C LEDs, along with other LEDs emitting UV-C radiation, have demonstrated effective pathogen reduction capabilities against certain microorganisms, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses, and E. coli bacteria. Extensive testing and research support their potential in disinfection and sanitation applications. For further details please see the supporting material. By incorporating your products, you commit to responsible and safe usage. Please review and understand this notice before integrating UV-C LEDs into your sanitation procedures. If you have inquiries or uncertainties, seek guidance from qualified experts. Your commitment to health and safety is paramount.
Clean water, surfaces and air
Imagine a world in which light makes your everyday life healthier, safer and more pleasant. With UV-C solutions powered by ams OSRAM, this vision becomes reality.
Light for making our world healthier and improve human well-being is part of our mission. Today like never before current global developments have raised the attention on topics of sanitization and purification. Be that at work, at home or on the move, people everywhere are confronted with a new reality and awareness for health and safety.
Today UV-C mercury vapor lamps are used to provide clean water, and surfaces. With UV-C LED solutions - their small and robust design, as well as their mercury free nature, we can extend the use of UV-C Radiation to completely new application areas and overcome obstacles which are currently limiting the broad deployment of UV-C radiation.
After years of R&D and various research projects with leading partners in the industry and the scientific world, ams OSRAM offers its UV-C LED products from low to high power.
The OSLON® UV series is designed to provide efficient UV-C radiation for but not limited to home goods and consumer applications. It allows for flexible designs for various types of UV-C applications in the areas of air, water and surface sanitization purification, as well as treatment or sensing. Design possibilities are endless and range from point-of-use water treatment, to air purification in portal devices or air conditioning systems.
What is UV-C radiation
The sun emits optical radiation in form of visible and invisible light. We humans define light as what we can see from the visible spectrum of light, that is, the wavelength between violet (400nm) and dark red (800nm). For the use of light against viruses and germs, the focus is on the range below 400 nanometers, the so-called UV radiation. UV light is divided intro three ranges: UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. The wavelength decreases progressively from 400 to 100 nanometers.
Category A ultraviolet sunlight reaches the earth almost unfiltered. UV-A radiation penetrates deep into our skin and causes it to age. UV-B light reaches our upper skin layers and is responsible for sunburn. The short-wave, particularly high-energy UV-C radiation from the sun, on the other hand, is completely absorbed by or ozone layer. There is therefore no natural UV-C radiation on earth. Life on earth has thus developed without being exposed to UV-C radiation. In other words: There was simply no need to develop natural defense mechanisms against UV-C light. This opens special possibilities for science, medicine and technology.
UV-C photons with a wavelength of 200 to 280 nanometers have sufficient energy to alter microbial DNA meaning the exposure to the electromagnetic radiation modifies the genetic material of microorganisms and disrupts their ability to reproduce. As UV-C radiation attacks the helix structure of DNA and RNA it is also effective to inactivate multi-resistant pathogens.
For the use of light to inactivate pathogens, the focus is on invisible light below 400 nanometers, the so-called UV radiation, in particular the Category C ultraviolet light. Although both UV-B and UV-C can harm cells and hence have the capability for sanitization, the extent of the molecular rearrangement of the DNA / RNA by these two radiations is very dissimilar. The shorter the wavelength as more effectively light can penetrate the cells of Microorganisms, therefore UV-C is more suitable to neutralize pathogens. UV-C radiation triggers a photochemical reaction. Depending on the doses of the absorbed UV-C light it modifies the DNA / RNA helix strands by thymine dimer formation, disrupting the pathogen’s capability to replicate and render it harmless.
UV-C radiation
How does UV-C radiation work
For the use of light to inactivate pathogens, the focus is on invisible light below 400 nanometers, the so-called UV radiation, in particular the Category C ultraviolet light. Although both UV-B and UV-C can harm cells and hence have the capability for sanitization, the extent of the molecular rearrangement of the DNA / RNA by these two radiations is very dissimilar. The shorter the wavelength as more effectively light can penetrate the cells of Microorganisms, therefore UV-C is more suitable to neutralize pathogens. UV-C radiation triggers a photochemical reaction. Depending on the doses of the absorbed UV-C light it modifies the DNA / RNA helix strands by thymine dimer formation, disrupting the pathogen’s capability to replicate and render it harmless.
Why is UV-C radiation so important
Clean water. Clean air. Clean surfaces. A pure environment where health and safety for everyone is made possible even under the harshest conditions.
In an interconnected world, new challenges arise such as we have recently been witnessing to. We are confronted with pathogens every day. At home and at work, from running an errand, to seeing a physician or the use of plain tab water. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a heightened sense of awareness for disinfection and with it a desire for effective UV-C solutions. UV-C radiation is able to effectively reduce harmful micro-organisms without the use of chemicals.
Advantages
- UV-C LEDs are environmentally friendly. In comparison to mercury lamps, UV-C LEDs do not contain mercury.
- Purification without the use of chemicals
- Flexible design: Due to their small footprint and DC operating feature, they allow for flexible and compact designs
- Durability: Compared to mercury lamps, UV-C LEDs are much more robust to mechanical influences as they do not contain fragile glass components.
- Operation: UV-C LEDs instantly provide full optical output when turned on and stop immediately when switched off. Making cycling at high frequency possible. No pre-heating necessary.
Applications
- Horticulture treatment
- UV-C treatment
- Sensing
Disclaimer:
Our UV-C LEDs emit ultraviolet radiation of extremely high intensity near their surface. Unprotected contact can cause skin and eye damage. Prolonged or direct contact should be avoided. Bare-eye observation and bare-hand handling of our UV-C LEDs is prohibited. To ensure your safety when working with our UV-C LEDs, please follow adequate safety precautions for assembly, testing and use. Our UV-C LEDs are not certified, approved, or intended for use in medical devices under the laws or regulations of any country. They are intended for disinfection and hygiene purposes only. Our UV-C LEDs are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. By purchasing or using our UV-C LEDs, you acknowledge their non-medical status and agree not to use them for medical or therapeutic purposes. The manufacturers and distributors of our UV-C LEDs are not liable for any consequences resulting from improper or unauthorized use as medical devices. It is the responsibility of the customers to design their respective products to ensure the safety of the end users.
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