LIGHTING TODAY23 Sep 2021
NICHIA unveils high radiant flux density UV-C LED
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The new NCSU434B can be deployed to fight the spread of various bacteria and viruses, including the new coronavirus.

Tokushima, Japan – NICHIA has launched a high radiant flux density UV-C LED that can help target the inactivation and sterilization of various bacteria and viruses, including the new coronavirus.

The 280nm NCSU434B LED has the industry’s highest power conversion efficiency for a 3.5mm x 3.5mm LED, demonstrating a typical radiant flux of 62mW with an input power of 350mA/5.7V typical.  In high-density mounting, the radiant flux per unit area is approximately three times that of conventional products.

By taking advantage of this flux density, manufacturers can tightly pack the deep ultraviolet NCSU434B in their designs to focus on maximizing virucidal power. These technical characteristics will support applications such as water purification, near-surface sterilization, and air purification systems to inactivate bacteria and viruses quickly, efficiently, and cost effectively.

The NCSU434B represents a significant upgrade in radiant flux density versus its predecessor, the NCSU334B. Mass production of the new 434B UV-C LED has commenced, with immediate sampling and mass production volume available.

Using NICHIA’s high-power 280nm LED, Hitachi Zosen Corporation and Professor Jiro Yasuda of the National Research Center for the Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases/Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University conducted various inactivation experiments (Figure 1) on airborn microdroplets of a new coronavirus (Alpha strain and British mutant strain). In a one-pass test, results confirmed that a dosage of ~1mJ/cm2 reduced the infection titer to less than 1/10 (virus survival rate 4.5%), thus indicating positive and effective results against these new coronaviruses. 

Professor Yasuda commented that since the inactivation mechanism of deep ultraviolet light is based on direct denaturation of viral RNA, equally effective results can be expected against new mutant coronavirus strains beyond the British strain, including the currently rampant Delta strain.

NICHIA continues to lead the UV-C LED industry with its strong focus on 280nm due to its high virucidal power and longest lifetime. By developing UV-C LEDs with higher efficiency, higher flux density, without sacrificing lifetime or quality, NICHIA will continue to contribute products that assist in building a safer and cleaner world. This approach further demonstrates its commitment to innovation and improvements to global well-being.

Figure 1 and Figure 2: Verified by: Professor Jiro Yasuda of the National Research Center for the Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases/Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University. Images courtesy of NICHIA