Disinfecting a room with just the click of a button would be a dream come true for medical professionals, scientists and even homeowners. But that technology isn\u2019t just a fantasy: it\u2019s currently being developed by UCF researcher Leland Nordin.<\/p>\n
Nordin, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering, is leading a project to develop a compact semiconductor light source for defense and civilian applications such as room disinfection. The work is funded through a new, $1 million grant from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory.<\/p>\n
The laser device would operate at the ultraviolet C (UVC) wavelength, which is the shortest of all forms of UV light.<\/p>\n
\u201cUVC is part of the UV spectrum,\u201d Nordin says. \u201cWhen we talk about UV, we talk about what hurts us from the sun \u2013 UVA and UVB. UVC has the shortest wavelength and the highest energy. The reason why it\u2019s useful is because, unlike longer wavelengths, it doesn\u2019t penetrate the skin deeply, but it does provide disinfection and virus protection.\u201d<\/p>\n
The drawback to UVC semiconductor lasers is their short lifespan. They can last one hour at best, making their use impractical and costly. Nordin plans to develop a UVC laser that can last for at least 10,000 hours by overcoming the electromigration of defects, which can cut the life of a laser short.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat that means is that while making lasers through crystal growth, defects can occur,\u201d Nordin says. \u201cThere can be an atom missing or an extra atom generated.\u201d<\/p>\n
To optimize the laser\u2019s performance, Nordin will employ a suite of novel growth approaches, including the use of digital alloys. These superlattice structures can be easily scaled, offer superior transport properties, and have high thermal conductivity, among other benefits. The end result is a more powerful UVC laser with fewer defects and a longer lifespan.<\/p>\n
The Army could use these UVC laser for non-line-of-sight communication and the detection of chemical or biological weapons and explosives. There also are other applications for these lasers. Hospitals could use them to remove viruses from surfaces simultaneously, while wastewater treatment plants could use them to sterilize water. Homeowners could someday benefit from this technology as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cImagine this technology being connected with smart home technology,\u201d Nordin says. \u201cYou could click a button and while you\u2019re out, the technology could disinfect the room for you.\u201d<\/p>\n