UV LED Waveguide Scattering for Anti-Fouling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waveguides are less efficient in preventing or reducing biofouling, and clear silicone waveguides for UV radiation transmission are particularly ineffective in achieving desired anti-fouling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide element with a radiation transmissive material, such as silicone, incorporating particles with specific mean particle radii (50-1500 nm) and concentrations (1*10^4-1.5*10^8/mm^3) to enhance UV radiation distribution and outcoupling, used in conjunction with a light source to emit UV radiation from one or both faces, thereby inhibiting biofouling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If clear silicone waveguides are used for UV radiation transmission, then the waveguide structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the anti-fouling efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide combines clear silicone matrix material with scattered particles (such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or aluminum oxide) to create a composite material structure. This composite approach maintains the ease of manufacturing silicone waveguides while significantly enhancing UV radiation distribution and outcoupling efficiency, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and anti-fouling effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces particles with specific properties (size, concentration, material composition) at localized regions within the waveguide to optimize UV radiation outcoupling at specific locations. This allows different regions of the waveguide to have tailored optical properties, improving anti-fouling efficiency without compromising the overall manufacturing process
2Reliability
If particles are added to enhance UV radiation distribution, then anti-fouling efficiency improves, but waveguide structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes specific parameters of the particles (size ranging from 1-10 micrometers, concentration levels, material composition) to achieve maximum UV radiation outcoupling efficiency. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves enhanced anti-fouling performance while minimizing the structural complexity that would result from arbitrary particle additions
3Reliability
If UV radiation is emitted to kill microorganisms, then biofouling is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide acts as an intermediary that efficiently distributes UV radiation from the light source across the entire waveguide structure. By incorporating scattering particles, the system maximizes the utilization of UV radiation, ensuring that energy is effectively distributed and utilized for anti-fouling purposes, thereby reducing overall energy consumption compared to direct illumination methods
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 waveguide system effectively reduces biofouling by efficiently distributing and emitting UV radiation, achieving up to 90% microorganism kill rates and reducing fouling growth on surfaces in contact with water.
Implementation Method 1
the radiation transmissive material is transmissive for UV radiation
Implementation Method 2
incorporating particles with specific mean particle radii (50-1500 nm) and concentrations to enhance UV radiation distribution and outcoupling
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a waveguide element (1000) comprising a first face (1001) and a second face (1002) with radiation transmissive material (1005) configured between the first face (1001) and the second face (1002), wherein the radiation transmissive material (1005) is transmissive for UV radiation, wherein the radiation transmissive material (1005) is a matrix material for a phase (1010) of another composition than the radiation transmissive material (1005), wherein the phase (1010) is available in the matrix as regions (1110) with the regions (1110) having mean particle radii (r1) selected from the range of 50-1500 nm and having an average region concentration selected from the range of 1*104-1.5*108/mm3 of the radiation transmissive material (1005).