Light in the 200-235 nm range, or Far UV-C, is one of the most promising tools for dramatically reducing airborne transmission from day one of almost any pandemic caused by airborne pathogens. If adopted widely, it could also have a dramatic impact on seasonal flu, colds, and endemic COVID-19. Unfortunately, progress on development and adoption has been much slower than one would have hoped. One bottleneck is cost and efficiency of commercially available sources at this wavelength range, specifically 222 nm krypton chloride excimer lamps.
Convergent Research roadmapping analysts Jasper Götting and Vivian Belenky set out to understand what it would take to decrease the cost by two orders of magnitude. On June 12 and 13, 2023, they convened a workshop with top experts on solid-state UV emitters to scope out the most promising approaches in emitter development, forecast timelines with respect to relevant milestones, and list priorities for R&D and broader ecosystem support.
XCMR CEO Richard Rasansky was a key contributor to the 2023 Convergent Research Roadmapping Workshop. The results are summarized in the workshop report.
The workshop identified key performance metrics for Far UV-C emitters, including intensity, wavelength precision, and cost-effectiveness. These metrics are essential for driving the efficiency and scalability of Far UV-C emitters in disinfection applications, such as air and surface sanitization.
Workshop participants, including XCMR, explored cutting-edge materials and design strategies, such as aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) devices and second-harmonic generation (SHG). These technologies represent a new frontier for achieving high-performance solid-state Far UV-C emitters, which are critical for scaling Far UV-C applications in public health.
The workshop concluded with a consensus on development timelines for solid-state Far UV-C technologies. Participants identified critical research and funding strategies that could accelerate the adoption of Far UV-C solutions in a variety of industries, from healthcare to environmental protection.
XCMR’s participation in the 2023 Convergent Research Roadmapping Workshop underscores its commitment to advancing Far UV-C technology for real-world applications. With a focus on pushing the boundaries of emitter design and performance, XCMR continues to play a leading role in developing innovative solutions that will have a lasting impact on public health and safety.
