UV Antimicrobial Light Source With Electron-Target Wavelength Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antimicrobial devices using mercury, excited dimers, or excited complexes to produce UV light often emit harmful wavelengths or intensities insufficient for effective sterilization or disinfection.
Innovation Solution
An antimicrobial device that generates UV light within the 150-250 nanometer range by using an electron source and target material to produce photons, allowing control over wavelength and intensity through adjustable electron energy, thermionic emitter temperature, and quantum dot properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If mercury, excited dimer, or excited complex is used to produce ultraviolet light, then ultraviolet light is generated, but the wavelength may be harmful to human cells and the intensity may be insufficient for sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of UV light generation by transitioning from chemical/physical excitation methods (mercury, excimers, exciplexes) to direct electron acceleration and target material interaction. This enables precise control over photon energy and wavelength, producing UV light in the 150-250 nm range that is both effective for sterilization and safer for human exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical/physical excitation mechanisms (mercury vapor discharge, excimer formation) with a direct electron beam mechanism. Electrons are accelerated through a controlled electric field and directed at a target material, substituting complex chemical excitation processes with a more controllable electromagnetic acceleration and deceleration process that yields precise wavelength control.
2Reliability
If conventional UV light sources are used, then light production is achieved, but the intensity is lower than required for effective sterilization or disinfection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a direct electron acceleration approach where electrons are rapidly accelerated through a high voltage potential and immediately decelerated upon striking the target material. This 'rushing through' process converts kinetic energy directly into photon energy with high efficiency, producing intense UV light output that overcomes the intensity limitations of conventional gradual excitation methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the energy conversion parameters by using direct kinetic-to-radiant energy conversion rather than thermal or chemical excitation. This enables higher power density and more efficient UV light production, achieving the intensities necessary for reliable sterilization and disinfection applications.
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 produces UV light that is safe for human cells and achieves effective disinfection or sterilization by adjusting intensity and wavelength, ensuring proper 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
adjusting the temperature of the thermionic emitter
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.