A recent publication in Opto-Electronic Advances explores the rapid inactivation of human respiratory RNA viruses through the use of DUV LEDs.
The study addresses the need for improved disinfection methods for human respiratory RNA viruses, emphasizing the limitations of mercury lamps. Offering a promising alternative, AlGaN-based DUV LEDs are environmentally friendly, compact, and energy-efficient. The research demonstrates that these LEDs, particularly the 256 nm-LED, can achieve 100% disinfection and sterilization of SARS-CoV-2 and IAV within a short timeframe. Consequently, DUV LEDs provide a portable, eco-friendly, and efficient method for virus disinfection.
The Importance of Enhanced Disinfection Methods
Human respiratory RNA viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for COVID-19) and influenza A virus (IAV), spread rapidly among humans through airway transmission. These viruses have caused significant morbidity, mortality, economic losses, and global pandemics. Therefore, it is crucial to develop more efficient and broad-spectrum disinfection methods for surfaces and the environment to mitigate the risk of human respiratory RNA virus transmission.
Drawbacks of Traditional Disinfection Methods
Deep ultraviolet (DUV) light irradiation effectively inactivates viruses by damaging their genomes. Conventionally, mercury lamps have been employed for virus disinfection. However, these lamps possess several disadvantages, including toxicity, fragility, bulkiness, short lifespan, and ozone production. Furthermore, the Minamata Convention on Mercury has banned the manufacture, import, and export of mercury-containing products since 2020. Consequently, there is an urgent need for an eco-friendly and efficient germicidal alternative.
AlGaN-based DUV LEDs as a Viable Solution
AlGaN-based DUV LEDs, utilizing Aluminum Gallium Nitride (AlGaN) with a tunable wavelength ranging from 365 to 210 nm, offer a promising substitute for mercury lamps. These LEDs are advantageous due to their pollution-free nature, compact size, and energy-saving properties. Typically, AlGaN-based DUV LEDs are grown heteroepitaxially on an Aluminum Nitride (AlN)/Sapphire template, as AlN single-crystal substrates are prohibitively expensive. The Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy (HVPE) Thermal Annealing (HTA) method emerges as the most promising technique for obtaining a high-quality AlN/Sapphire template due to its simplicity, efficiency, and stability. However, managing the strong compressive stress (SCS) exhibited by the HTA AlN/Sapphire template is crucial, as it can impact the quality of the AlGaN material and complicate the device fabrication process.
Methodology and Results of the Research
The authors of this publication conducted extensive research on stress engineering, device preparation, and the efficiency of inactivating human respiratory RNA viruses using AlGaN-based DUV LEDs. By introducing a superlattice structure between the SCS AlN/sapphire substrate and the AlGaN epitaxial layer, the researchers effectively alleviated the SCS. This intervention significantly reduced the dislocation density of the AlGaN epitaxial layer, resulting in an atomically flat surface that improved the quality of the epitaxial LED interface. The research team fabricated AlGaN-based DUV LEDs with varying peak wavelengths and evaluated their disinfection and sterilization effects on various human respiratory RNA viruses.
The study’s findings revealed that all tested LEDs achieved 100% disinfection and sterilization of SARS-CoV-2 and IAV within 60 seconds at a virus concentration of 3.8×10^5 PFU/mL. Particularly, the 256 nm-LED demonstrated exceptional disinfection and sterilization efficiency, achieving complete inactivation in just 10 seconds. Moreover, this LED performed admirably at higher virus concentrations and various virus attachment surface environments. These results suggest that DUV LEDs offer a portable, eco-friendly, broad-spectrum, and highly efficient method for virus disinfection.
Reference: “Rapid inactivation of human respiratory RNA viruses by deep ultraviolet irradiation from light-emitting diodes on a high-temperature-annealed AlN/Sapphire template” by Ke Jiang, Simeng Liang, Xiaojuan Sun, Jianwei Ben, Liang Qu, Shanli Zhang, Yang Chen, Yucheng Zheng, Ke Lan, Dabing Li, and Ke Xu, 15 June 2023, Opto-Electronic Advances.
DOI: 10.29026/oea.2023.230004
The research group led by Li Dabing and Sun Xiaojuan from the State Key Laboratory of Luminescence and Applications at the Changchun Institute of Optics, Precision Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, primarily focuses on the study of wide bandgap nitride semiconductor materials and their optoelectronic devices. Their research encompasses materials and device physics, defect and doping control, structural epitaxy growth, LED and photodetector device fabrication, and applications.
For over a decade, the research group has dedicated its efforts to the field of wide bandgap nitride semiconductors. Currently, the group consists of more than 10 full-time employees and over 20 master’s and doctoral students. They have achieved numerous innovative outcomes in high-quality AlN material preparation, nitride defect evolution mechanics, high-efficiency ultra-wide bandgap nitride p-type doping, and high-performance optoelectronic devices.
In recent years, the research group has published over 100 papers related to their work in renowned journals such as Adv. Mater. and Light Sci. Appl. They have also filed over 80 domestic and international invention patents and have been involved in more than 10 projects, including the National Science Foundation’s Outstanding Young Scholars, Excellent Young Scholars, and Key R&D Programs of the Ministry of Science and Technology. Additionally, they have received the first prize in natural science in Jilin Province.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about virus inactivation
What is the focus of the research discussed in the text?
The research focuses on the rapid inactivation of human respiratory RNA viruses using DUV LEDs as an alternative disinfection method.
Why is there a need for improved disinfection methods for human respiratory RNA viruses?
Human respiratory RNA viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 and IAV, spread quickly and cause significant harm, including morbidity, mortality, economic losses, and pandemics. Thus, better disinfection methods are necessary to reduce the risk of virus transmission.
What are the limitations of traditional disinfection methods using mercury lamps?
Mercury lamps used for virus disinfection have several drawbacks, including toxicity, fragility, bulkiness, short lifespan, and ozone production. Additionally, the Minamata Convention on Mercury has restricted the manufacture and trade of mercury-containing products.
How do AlGaN-based DUV LEDs offer an alternative for disinfection?
AlGaN-based DUV LEDs provide an eco-friendly and efficient alternative to mercury lamps. They are compact, energy-efficient, and capable of achieving 100% disinfection and sterilization of viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and IAV within a short period. They offer portability and a more environmentally friendly approach to virus disinfection.
What is the key finding of the research regarding DUV LEDs and virus disinfection?
The study demonstrates that AlGaN-based DUV LEDs, particularly the 256 nm-LED, exhibit superior disinfection and sterilization efficiency. They achieve complete inactivation of viruses in as little as 10 seconds and perform well even at higher virus concentrations and different attachment surface environments.
What are the advantages of DUV LEDs mentioned in the research?
DUV LEDs based on AlGaN offer benefits such as being environmentally friendly, compact, and energy-conserving. They provide a portable and efficient method for virus disinfection, serving as a viable alternative to traditional disinfection methods.
More about virus inactivation
- Opto-Electronic Advances: Rapid inactivation of human respiratory RNA viruses by deep ultraviolet irradiation from light-emitting diodes on a high-temperature-annealed AlN/Sapphire template
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescence and Applications: Changchun Institute of Optics, Precision Mechanics and Physics
- Minamata Convention on Mercury: Official Website
5 comments
these new duv leds based on algan are super cool they’re small and energy efficient perfect for virus disinfection on the go glad the research shows they’re effective
i didnt know mercury lamps had so many problems sounds like they’re really not ideal for virus disinfection we need something better and eco friendly
this research is great news it shows that duv leds can quickly disinfect viruses like covid and flu we need better methods to protect ourselves and stop the spread
wow this article talks about rapid inactivation of viruses using duv leds its so cool and much better than old lamps its about time we get better disinfection methods
the need for better disinfection methods for viruses is really imporant with all the diseases and stuff going around glad to see the research focus on it