UV-C Sanitization Indication Using Fluorescent Surface Brighteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to provide real-time indication of sanitization progress during sanitization processes, especially in environments where UV-C light is utilized to sanitize surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A fluorescence based sanitization indication system comprising a fluorescent dye indicator configured to absorb UV-C light and emit a visible light indicator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV-C light is used to sanitize surfaces, then sanitization effectiveness is improved, but visibility of sanitization progress is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
A fluorescent brightener is introduced as an intermediary substance on the surface. This brightener absorbs UV-C light and converts it to visible light, serving as a mediator that translates the invisible UV-C sanitization process into a visible indication, allowing users to perceive sanitization progress without compromising UV-C effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The fluorescent brightener undergoes a color change phenomenon where it absorbs UV-C radiation and emits visible light. This color transformation provides visual feedback about the sanitization state, converting the invisible UV-C process into a visible color indication that users can observe
2Loss of information
If fluorescent brightener is added to surface, then visibility of sanitization progress is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The fluorescent brightener is applied directly to the surface being sanitized and serves its own function of indicating sanitization progress without requiring external power sources, control systems, or complex instrumentation. The system uses the UV-C light itself to excite the brightener, creating a self-indicating system
Solution Approach 2:
The solution leverages the natural fluorescent properties of the brightener material, which inherently converts UV-C to visible light through photoluminescence. This eliminates the need for electronic sensors, LEDs, or other complex indication mechanisms, keeping the system simple while effective
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 system provides a fluorescence based indicator that the sanitization process is in progress by emitting a visible light indicator.
Implementation Method 1
a fluorescent brightener disposed on a surface, the fluorescent brightener configured to receive a UV-C light from a UV-C light source during a sanitization process
Implementation Method 2
the fluorescent brightener configured to absorb the UV-C light
Implementation Method 3
re-emit a visible light to indicate an area is being sanitized
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of verifying sanitization of an area may comprise: emitting, via a sanitization system, a UV-C light towards a desired surface (203) to be sanitized, the UV-C light including a first wavelength between 200 nm and 280 nm; and determining the desired surface (203) is being sanitized by verifying whether the desired surface (203) absorbs the UV-C light and re-emits a visible light.