image: The developed planar light source (a) The DUV solid-state light source comprised of nitride-based LEDs; (b) Electroluminescence spectrum of the fabricated LED chip. The green and blue dotted lines were the standard absorption spectra of DNA/RNA and proteins extracted from published values, respectively (also known as the germicidal effectiveness curve); (c) DUV inactivation tests on the ATCC 6538 and H1N1 at 23 °C. view more
Credit: OEA
A new publication from Opto-Electronic Advances, 10.29026/oea.2023.220201 discusses deep-ultraviolet photonics for the disinfection of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants (Delta and Omicron) in the cryogenic environment.
Deep ultraviolet (DUV) irradiation is a fast and effective way to inhibit the spread of pathogenic microorganisms, because it can directly destroy the genetic materials of microorganisms or prevent the effective replication of genetic material. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 (elicited by SARS-CoV-2), ultraviolet technology has been used for air and surface disinfection. However, the influences of SARS-CoV-2 viral variants (Delta and Omicron) and low temperatures on the DUV virucidal efficacy are still unknown. In particular, the SARS-CoV-2 is able to survive longer in low temperatures, and relevant authorities have repeatedly tested COVID-positive on the surface of goods in cold-chain logistics. Therefore, it would be very important to understand DUV photonics for the disinfection of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in the cryogenic environment, and thus help the building of the biosafety barrier.
Simultaneously, the traditional ultraviolet light sources (represented by mercury lamps) are going to fade away due to the potential pollution to the environment (the implementation of the Minamata Convention). The DUV solid-state light source has the advantages of narrow-band wavelength, eco-friendly, compact, and high-speed switch etc., and it would represent the future trend of the ultraviolet light source with outstanding scientific and practical value. At the current stage, DUV solid-state light source still needs to steadily improve its irradiation intensity, area, and uniformity to achieve a large-area and high-efficiency disinfection.
The research group from Xiamen University developed a high light output (3.2 W) and uniform planar light source comprised of 275-nm light-emitting diodes (LEDs) based on the germicidal effectiveness curve. This light source could kill the SARS-CoV-2, H1N1, and staphylococcus aureus (≥99.99% at room temperature) within 1 second.
Meanwhile, the research gaps were filled regarding the influences of viral variants (Delta and Omicron) and low temperatures on the DUV virucidal efficacy. The lethal effect of DUV was reduced by the cryogenic environment, for instance, the DUV dose needed to be doubled at -50 °C to achieve the same inactivation performance compared to the room temperature for the variant of Omicron. This was mainly elicited by the different thermal energy and the chance of capture in the negative-U large-relaxation model. Besides, the inactivation of Omicron required a significantly higher DUV dose compared to other viral strains, which was theoretically due to its genetic and proteinic characteristics.
Last but not least, this research group investigated the relationship between the DUV dose and the virucidal efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 at different temperatures. The findings in this study would be significant for human society using DUV disinfection in cold conditions (e.g., the food cold chain logistics and the open air in winter), and the relevant DUV disinfection suggestion against COVID-19 was provided.
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Wenyu (Wayne) Kang gained his Ph.D. in 2020 at the Faculty of Science, University of Adelaide, Australia. He currently works in the Department of Chemistry at Xiamen University as an associate research fellow engaging in material growth and equipment development.
Jun Yin is currently an associate professor at the Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University, China. After completing his Ph.D. degree at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in 2014, he worked at the Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology as a postdoctoral fellow and then joined Xiamen University as an assistant professor in 2016. His research focuses on optoelectronic materials and related devices for light-emitting, photo-detection, and solar photovoltaics.
Junyong Kang has been engaging in teaching and researching compound semiconductor physics, characterization, and applications since 1984. He gained his Ph.D. in 1993 from the Co-training of the Department of Physics at Xiamen University, China and the Institute for Materials Research in Tohoku University, Japan. He currently works as a distinguished professor at Xiamen University, and the Director of Engineering Research Center for Micro-nano Optoelectronic Materials and Devices of the State Education Ministry.
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Opto-Electronic Advances (OEA) is a high-impact, open access, peer reviewed monthly SCI journal with an impact factor of 8.933 (Journal Citation Reports for IF2021). Since its launch in March 2018, OEA has been indexed in SCI, EI, DOAJ, Scopus, CA and ICI databases over the time and expanded its Editorial Board to 36 members from 17 countries and regions (average h-index 49).
The journal is published by The Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, aiming at providing a platform for researchers, academicians, professionals, practitioners, and students to impart and share knowledge in the form of high quality empirical and theoretical research papers covering the topics of optics, photonics and optoelectronics.
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Kang WY, Zheng J, Huang JX, Jiang LN, Wang QN et al. Deep-ultraviolet photonics for the disinfection of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants (Delta and Omicron) in the cryogenic environment. Opto-Electron Adv 6, 220201 (2023). doi: 10.29026/oea.2023.220201
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