Deep ultraviolet C (UVC) LED arrays from Bolb, Livermore, Calif, are helping to combat the coronavirus epidemic in Wuhan, China. Emitter arrays with a power output of between 1.2 watts and 2.5 watts emit strongly disinfecting UVC light that kills not only antibiotic-resistant germs such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) but also dangerous viruses such as the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

In the newly built Huoshenshan Hospital, this technology is already being used to decontaminate doctors and nursing staff when they enter or leave the corona isolation ward in their infectious disease protective clothing. To do this, doctors and nursing staff simply have to be irradiated from all sides with highly efficient UVC light for around 30 seconds. The wavelength is selected in such a way that it changes the RNA of the viruses in a short amount of time so that they no longer pose a threat. Since the epidemic suit also protects against UVC radiation, there is no danger to humans. To make the invisible UVC radiation visible, the headpiece of the protective equipment is coated with a fluorescent paint that glows as soon as the emitters are activated.

For more information, visit Bolb.