Human-Safe UV Light For Disinfection

NS Nanotech has developed the ShortWaveLight 215 Emitter to disinfect air and surfaces in high-risk spaces and confined environments. 

NS Nanotech, an electrical and computer engineering (ECE) spinout company from the University of Michigan, US has launched a solid-state semiconductor that produces human-safe disinfecting UV light ‘ShortWaveLight 215’, under the guidance of ECE professor Zetian Mi. Traditionally, UVC (Ultraviolet type C) light has been generated using low-pressure mercury lamps, which emit light around 254 nm. While effective for disinfection, these lamps pose a danger to human skin and eyes, limiting their use in spaces with people present. The latest innovation fills this gap by introducing a Far-UVC solution that operates in a safer range, offering disinfecting capabilities without the harmful effects of traditional UVC light.

“We are excited by the enormous potential of this semiconductor-based technology. It offers an alternative path for air purification and disinfection, compared to conventional, inefficient, and bulky gas lamps,” said Mi, emphasizing the technology’s efficiency and safety. The UV emitter, a nitride semiconductor cathodoluminescent lamp, is not only safer but also more cost-effective and easier to deploy than the current state-of-the-art krypton chloride excimer lamps. The product is expected to attract a wide range of customers, including businesses in the transportation, healthcare, and public service sectors, where maintaining a sanitized environment is crucial for safety and operational efficiency.

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The device operates in the far UVC spectrum, a range that is both safe for humans and effective in killing airborne pathogens. “The light still does a great job of killing germs, but it won’t penetrate our dead skin cells or the tear layer at the front of our eye,” explained Seth Coe-Sullivan, CEO, NS Nanotech. This makes it ideal for “personal breathing zones,” such as public transportation, healthcare settings, and other high-traffic areas, where continuous disinfection is crucial.

The company is working closely with its partners to deploy these devices in various sectors, particularly focusing on confined, high-value spaces. Their mission is to make this innovative product widely available to customers, with a keen eye on emerging applications. “By marketing business-to-business, we want a broad set of customers to try this out and deploy it,” Coe-Sullivan added.

Developed at NS Nanotech in Ann Arbor, the ShortWaveLight 215 Emitter represents a significant step forward in UV disinfection. The company plans to extend this technology into far-UVC LED lights, though this will require further research and development.