Far-UV Antimicrobial Light Source With Electron-Driven Wavelength Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antimicrobial devices using ultraviolet light may produce wavelengths harmful to human cells and have intensities insufficient for effective sterilization or disinfection.
Innovation Solution
An antimicrobial device that produces ultraviolet light within the 150-250 nanometer wavelength range, utilizing an electron source, extractor, and target material to control the energy of free electrons and produce photons of specific wavelengths, ensuring safety and efficacy for disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mercury, excimer, or exciplex formation is used to create ultraviolet light, then the device can produce UV light for antimicrobial purposes, but the wavelength produced may be harmful to human cells and the intensity may be insufficient for effective sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of UV wavelength production by using electron bombardment of gas atoms (producing continuum spectrum) instead of molecular excitation (producing discrete spectral lines). This allows selection of wavelengths in the 200-280 nm range that are effective for sterilization while avoiding the specific harmful wavelengths produced by mercury or excimer sources. The continuous spectrum enables tuning to optimal sterilization wavelengths without the harmful discrete lines of conventional sources.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional UV sources are used, then the device structure is simpler, but the intensity is lower than required for effective sterilization or disinfection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional UV generation mechanisms (mercury vapor discharge, excimer formation) with an electron beam bombardment mechanism. This substitution allows direct control of UV intensity through electron beam parameters (current, energy, focal concentration) and produces a continuous spectrum that can be tuned to maximize sterilization efficacy at desired wavelengths, achieving higher intensities than conventional sources.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively produces UV light of specific wavelengths that are not harmful to human cells, achieving high enough intensity for effective disinfection of surfaces, liquids, air, or gases.
Implementation Method 1
The free electrons can be used to cause the release of a photon having a wavelength within the desired wavelength range, whether by a target material or by the electron itself
Implementation Method 2
The target material can decelerate the free electron, thereby causing the electron to emit a photon
Implementation Method 3
The device produces light having a wavelength that is harmful to human cells or components thereof, including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), or both
Data Source
AI summary
An antimicrobial device, such as a flashlight, lantern, or lamp, is discussed herein. The antimicrobial device produces light in the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum (i.e., 150-250 nm), including 200-230 nm. The antimicrobial device includes an electron source, an extractor, and a target material. The electron source provides the electrons of sufficient energy to cause a photon to be released, whether by a target or by the electron itself. The extractor extracts the electrons from the electron source. The target material is a component at which the electron is directed. The target material can release a photon having a desired wavelength or within a desired wavelength range or cause the electron to release a photon having a desired wavelength or within a desired wavelength range.