Photochromic UVC Indicator for Surface Decontamination Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decontamination methods using liquid agents or UVC light lack visibility and monitoring, leading to incomplete or uncertain pathogen reduction on surfaces, as they are difficult to track and verify the duration of exposure.
Innovation Solution
A photochromic indicator with a protective UVC-transparent layer is applied to surfaces, exhibiting a visible response upon minimal UVC exposure, allowing verification of adequate decontamination by maintaining the response after exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid decontaminating agent is applied to surfaces, then pathogen deactivation is achieved, but visibility and tracking of treatment status become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a photochromic indicator that undergoes a visible color change when exposed to UVC light, allowing the treatment status to be easily detected and tracked. The indicator transitions from a first color (unexposed) to a second color (exposed), providing clear visual feedback on which surfaces have received adequate decontamination treatment.
2Reliability
If UVC light is used for decontamination, then pathogen reduction is achieved, but monitoring of exposure duration and completeness becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The photochromic indicator provides immediate visual feedback on UVC exposure status. When the indicator changes color, it confirms that the surface has received sufficient UVC exposure, enabling real-time monitoring and verification of decontamination completeness without requiring separate measurement devices or procedures.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If photochromic indicator is applied to surface, then visible response to UVC exposure is achieved, but the response may fade after exposure ceases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the photochromic indicator before the UVC decontamination process begins. This preliminary application ensures that the indicator is already in position to capture and record the exposure event, allowing verification to occur immediately after treatment without requiring post-treatment application or complex timing mechanisms.
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
Ensures visible confirmation of adequate pathogen reduction by maintaining a visible response post-exposure, enabling effective monitoring of decontamination processes.
Implementation Method 1
a photochromic material which undergoes a change in appearance when exposed to ultraviolet UV radiation in the UVC band
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
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AI summary
Provided is a method and an apparatus for indicating minimum exposure of a surface to UVC light emitted by a source during a decontamination process to achieve a desired level of pathogen reduction. The apparatus includes a photochromic material to be applied to, or applied adjacent to the surface. The photochromic material is to exhibit a visible response to receiving the minimum exposure to the UVC light, and exhibit the visible response to a lesser extent after the photochromic material ceases to be exposed to the UVC light emitted by the source. A protective layer of material that is substantially transparent to the UVC light emitted by the source is positioned over the photochromic material to be disposed between the source and the photochromic material during the decontamination process.