Disinfecting with light may sound futuristic, but in fact, UVC light has been used to clean water, pharmaceuticals, and surfaces for more than 40 years. Now, the solution is gaining popularity, with hospitals using UVC rays to sterilise equipment and banks using it to cleanse banknotes.
The reason that UVC light is such an effective disinfectant is because of the high frequency of the waves. The shorter the wavelength, the higher the frequency, which makes the waves more intense. As introduced, living organisms are not adapted to cope with UVC waves, and as a result, the rays can severely damage cells.
The intensity of UVC light ‘kills’ pathogens like viruses and bacteria. This ensures that surfaces are 100% germ-free. To date, all known bacteria and viruses respond to UV disinfection, including the novel coronavirus – making UVC light considerably more effective than traditional chemical disinfectants.
Despite UVC light’s remarkable utility it does, of course, need to be handled with care. Due to the damage that UVC rays can do to the human epidermis, it is essential that a building or space is clear before surfaces or objects are treated with UVC light. In the past, this has meant that only small, confined spaces could be cleansed with UV lamps. Alternatively, engineers would have to turn the light off, reposition it, and switch it on again, which tended to be prohibitively inefficient.
Now, engineers can programme robots to track around a space. Today, demand for UVC disinfecting robots is growing exponentially, especially in the healthcare sector. However, these automated systems come with their own challenges. Often, pre-programmed robots will find it difficult to travel into confined spaces or lack the dexterity to reach hidden surfaces.
Certainly, it is crucial that UVC cleansing is as safe and as comprehensive as possible. Furthermore, viruses and bacteria are not only transmitted via surfaces: they are also present in the very air we breathe. So what if we could constantly, discretely, and safely UVC cleanse the air?
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