Fast Track Development Program for Far UVC LEDs for Safe Germicidal Illumination

As the COVID-19 crisis intensifies, UC Santa Barbara’s Solid State Lighting & Energy Electronics Center (SSLEEC) in the College of Engineering is intensively focused on cutting-edge research that manipulates the use of a Far UVC LED technology to limit the spread of airborne viruses.

Your philanthropic partnership remains critical to this project’s success. As SSLEEC pivots to meet the health challenges presented by COVID-19, philanthropy to mitigate the effects of this virus on our society is vital. Philanthropic support speaks to the strength of alumni and friends who see the value of expedited and focused generosity. While SSLEEC continues to pursue corporate, state and federal resources, these entities are less nimble than private support. Philanthropy provides invaluable and important funding quickly and directly.

About the Project

The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenge of emerging and re-emerging infectious pathogens and the need to develop countermeasures. Developing a safe and effective vaccine against the virus that causes COVID-19 may take over a year and will not provide protection against future viruses. SSLEEC’s technology is a solution to curtail the spread of not only the virus that causes COVID-19, but also future super-viruses, as well as more familiar viruses like influenza and measles.

Far-UVC LEDs (222nm) in germicidal UV(GUV) illumination systems will greatly reduce the spread of biological pathogens – including COVID-19 – in public spaces, water systems, HVAC, aircraft, and ships in a manner safer than existing GUV systems. However, no commercial source of Far UVC (222nm) LEDs exist today, and lamps with similar outcomes are expensive and fragile. With wider use, Far UVC LEDs are likely to help slow the spread of coronavirus and reduce the need for physical distancing. In addition, UV Laser Diodes of 340-360 nm with 20 mW continuous wave (CW) output power will be developed as optical sources for biological sensing.  For the past 20 years, UC Santa Barbara has been the leading university in the United States in developing new LEDs, as measured by peer-reviewed publications. UC Santa Barbara leads the way toward a commercial source of this technology.

Together, with your help, SSLEEC at UC Santa Barbara’s College of Engineering will continue to meet this challenge for the benefit of our country and the world. Please consider making a gift in support of this time-sensitive and urgent initiative. In advance, thank you for your support!

https://www.news.ucsb.edu/2020/019949/uv-lights-way

Questions about donations for this project can be directed to:

Steve Ramirez, Senior Director of Development

UCSB College of Engineering & Bioengineering

steve.ramirez@ucsb.edu