By MAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN
Ultraviolet radiation is a common method of killing bacteria and viruses. Now, researchers from Tel Aviv University have proven that the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, can be killed efficiently, quickly and cheaply using ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) at specific frequencies.
“We discovered that it is quite simple to kill the coronavirus using LED bulbs that radiate ultraviolet light,” said Prof. Hadas Mamane, head of the Environmental Engineering Program at Tel Aviv University’s School of Mechanical Engineering, who led the study with Prof. Yoram Gerchman and Dr. Michal Mandelboim.
She said that the UV-LED bulbs require less than half a minute to destroy more than 99.9% of the coronaviruses.
The study is the first of its kind in the world. An article about it was published earlier this month in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology.
The Jerusalem Post has written about Mamane many times. She presented this summer at the Boris Mints Institute 2020 Research Conference on her involvement in the construction of a 30-meter “green wall” at the university, which is meant to create a sustainable ecosystem for waste, energy and water.
The wall is also meant to act as a living laboratory to analyze the uses of greywater (wastewater generated from sinks, showers, baths, and washing machines) in absorbing carbon dioxide, as well as the effects on heat transfer and energy generation within old buildings that are prevalent in urban settings.
At the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, her research team developed an Israeli, low-cost, decentralized, nonpolluting means of producing ethanol – and thereby an alcohol-based hand sanitizer – from plant-based waste, such as municipal and agricultural trim, straw and residual paper fibers.
LEDs are available in a wide range of wavelengths, known as A, B and C, explained Mamane.
UV-A has a wavelength in the range of 315 nanometers (nm) to 400 nm. UV-B, also known as medium wave light, has a wavelength of 280-315 nm; UV-C has a wavelength of 200-280 nm.
UV-A is emitted by the sun (and artificial sources like tanning beds) and is weaker than UV-B and C. It has some human benefits, such as the creation of vitamin D, but it is also what causes sunburns and, in some cases, skin cancer.
UV-B and C radiation never really reaches humans naturally because these rays are absorbed by the earth’s ozone layer.
These ultraviolet wavelengths, which are what Tel Aviv researchers were examining, are especially effective in disinfection using UV-LED bulbs.
“We know, for example, that medical staff do not have time to manually disinfect, say, computer keyboards and other surfaces in hospitals – and the result is infection and quarantine,” said Mamane. “The disinfection systems based on LED bulbs, however, can be installed in the ventilation system and air conditioner, for example, and sterilize the air sucked in and then emitted into the room.”
She added that, “We are also developing, together with a scientist in North Western University a transparent coating that can be dipped or sprayed on surfaces and can kill viruses using visible light LEDs that are not dangerous and are used everywhere, providing another application for regular LEDs.”
In her team’s research, they managed to kill the virus using cheaper and more readily available LED bulbs – 285 nm vs. 265 nm bulbs – which consume little energy and do not contain mercury like regular UV lamps.
The wonders of Technology used the right way we don’t need any Obamacare when we have this Trump Cares
Our indoor air filtration system uses UV light.
Here’s the problem.
When you’re being as careful as we’ve been not to get infected you can become hypersensitive to any infection.
We painted and sanded (indoors) a few weeks ago and I got very sick with an allergic reaction to something in the paint that got into the air via the sanded wood.
Nearly ended up in ICU pulled thru because I have avoided using medicines all my life unless absolutely necessary.
This is what Trump was talking about when idiot liberals began parroting, “Drink bleach! Inject Lysol!” If only those morons could be introduced to science.
@Nan G: What kind of wood? I have seen allergic reactions to some kinds of wood.
Pine and also some fiberboard.
But, personally, I think it was the Kilz stain-blocking and mildew-killing base paint that got sanded into air in the house.
If this involved Obama the M.S. Media would be gushing about it all week long and they would be bowing down to their Idols of Obamases the Great.But since it was Trump instead lets listen to the Cridkets Folks