At Fusion Spaces we are always actively seeking new Fusionaries who have innovative technology and solutions that will support the wellbeing of humans.
With the global pandemic we have an unprecedented amount of problems to solve so we’ve invited Jim Ashley-Down of Waldmann Lighting to explain UV-C sterilisation and the part it can play in supporting people to feel more confident and less anxious about moving outside their homes.
Focus on Covid-19
In this challenging time so much attention is focussed on keeping each other safe from the Covid-19 infection. There has been a lot of discussion around how items and surfaces we encounter outside of our own homes everyday can be kept clean and virus free.
Many of the solutions being used are based around disinfecting wipes, sprays or “no contact” designs such as door handle tools. However, there is another scientifically proven option, which is used extensively in the medical, food processing, and water treatment industries. The option is disinfection using UV-C light.
Application of UV-C
In the medical world UV-C light is used to kill up to 99.99% of bacteria and viruses on medical implements by enclosing them in a specially designed UV-C light chamber.
In wider applications, the drinking water that comes out of your tap has almost certainly been disinfected with UV-C light before entering the distribution system, and waste water is similarly treated before discharge back to the environment.
The food production industry uses a similar process, especially for liquids, where the foodstuff passes through a UV-C light chamber for safe and chemical-free disinfection before packaging.
A, B or C?
UV-C is one of the three types of UV light (A, B, and C) which occur naturally in sunlight. UV-C doesn’t reach the surface of the earth in any significant amount as it is filtered out by the atmosphere. However, UV-A and UV-B make it through and they are the rays responsible for suntans and for helping our bodies produce Vitamin D.
UV-C despite being such a potent eliminator of viruses and bacteria can be un-safe when skin or eyes are exposed to it. In fact the atmosphere helps keep us (and other animals) free from harm in that respect; but that doesn’t mean UV-C cannot be safely used under the right conditions.
The right conditions
We decided to pool our resources with our sister company Derungs to develop a portable UV steriliser.
The handheld design is available to users outside of the usual medical professions and can be safely used wherever immediate sterilisation is required. A user can disinfect the surfaces they come into contact with and have a useful and more sustainable alternative to wipes or sprays.
The aim is for this design to be used by professionals such as facilities managers, travelling salespeople or engineers, teachers, care workers, or anyone in a workforce who may have a need to regularly sterilise their equipment or working space.
Design
The design makes it convenient to carry and use, and doesn’t have a medical or industrial look which, might be too conspicuous for use in public.
It is capable of sterilising most surfaces in around 10 seconds. This is at a distance of 10mm, or a slightly longer duration from further away. It can be used to sterilise face masks, gloves, telephones, door handles, keyboards, tools, toilets, tables and chairs, baby products, and more.
99.99% of viruses or bacteria present are inactivated or rendered harmless. Effectiveness has been tested and verified against the following bacteria and viruses:
Lily Coronavirus
Escherichia coli
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Pseudomonas aeroginosa
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
To find out more about how this innovative design could help keep you and your staff safe please feel free to contact.
Caution: The UV-LEDs must not be directed to eyes and skin. Personnel must familiarise themselves with the instructions and safety limitations before use.
