Nanophosphor UV Filter for Human-Safe Sterilization Lamps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultraviolet sterilization devices using wavelengths around 254 nm pose risks to human health due to skin penetration and potential for skin cancer, as well as harmful effects on the eyes, due to the absorption of UV rays by DNA in skin cells.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization device and lamp that incorporate a filter using nanophosphor, such as LaPO4:Ce3+·Tb3+, to convert UV wavelengths of 230 to 270 nm into a safer wavelength of 550 nm, combined with a control unit for safe operation and a 222 nm KrCl excimer light source, ensuring safe emission of non-harmful light for sterilization while preventing harmful UV exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a low-pressure mercury lamp emitting ultraviolet rays around 254 nm is used for sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but harm to the human body (skin cancer risk, eye damage) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful wavelength components (230-270 nm) from the ultraviolet spectrum emitted by the mercury lamp, while retaining the beneficial sterilization wavelengths. This is achieved through selective filtering that separates harmful UV components from useful sterilization radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a filter as an intermediary component between the ultraviolet light source and the human body. This filter mediates the interaction by selectively blocking harmful wavelengths while allowing sterilization wavelengths to pass through, thus protecting human tissue from DNA damage while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
2Reliability
If ultraviolet rays of wavelength 254 nm are used for sterilization, then bacteria and viruses are effectively killed, but penetration into skin layers (stratum corneum, granular layer, spinous layer, basal layer) occurs causing DNA absorption and skin cancer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different spectral transmission properties at different wavelength ranges. The filter is designed to have high transmission for sterilization wavelengths while providing high absorption for harmful wavelengths, thus creating localized spectral selectivity that allows beneficial effects while blocking harmful ones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spectral parameter of the ultraviolet radiation by selectively removing specific wavelength components. Through the filter's wavelength-selective absorption, the radiation spectrum is modified to exclude the 230-270 nm range that causes skin penetration and DNA damage, while preserving sterilization-effective wavelengths.
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 solution effectively sterilizes surfaces while minimizing harm to humans by filtering out harmful UV wavelengths, ensuring safety and efficacy in removing viruses and bacteria without causing skin cancer or eye damage.
Implementation Method 1
the filter includes a nanophosphor which is 3 nm or less and converts the light having a wavelength of 230 to 270 nm into a light of another wavelength
Implementation Method 2
a filter for filtering wavelengths of 230 to 270 nm being emitted from the ultraviolet light source
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilization device has an ultraviolet light unit including an ultraviolet light source and a filter for filtering wavelengths of 230 to 270 nm, emitted from the ultraviolet light source; a lighting unit including an LED light source; and a control unit which controls on and off of the ultraviolet light unit and the lighting unit and supplies power, wherein the filter includes a nanophosphor which is 3 nm or less and converts the light having a wavelength of 230 to 270 nm into light of another wavelength.