Microbe-killing short-wavelength UV radiation produced by LEDs

An array of low-voltage LEDs that emit short wavelength ultraviolet (UV) light could be used to kill harmful microbes on the skin and in the throat and nose – with minimal harmful side-effects to patients. The prototype device was developed by researchers at Germany’s Ferdinand Braun Institute and the Technical University of Berlin features an array of 118 LEDs spread over an area of 64 cm2 and emitting UV light at a wavelength of around 230 nm. The setup delivered a maximum irradiation power of 0.2 mW/cm2 over an area of 36 cm2, with 90% uniformity.