news axenic

“It has been known for 100 years that UV light is incredibly efficient in killing bacteria,” were the exact words of Dr. David Brenner, director of the Center for Radiological Research at Columbia University while he was speaking with ABC7 New York, regarding the pilot project undertaken by New York City Transit for using Ultraviolet Technology to kill Covid-19 on surfaces.

In a bid to disinfect its trains and provide its users a germ-free commute, NYC Transit doesn’t want to leave any stone unturned, hence, they are willing to try any and every idea that might help them in combatting these challenging times. “Ultraviolet technology is one of many outside-the-box ideas we’re pursuing to disinfect the system. I look forward to continuing to expand this pilot and learning more about how ultraviolet technology can best help us moving forward,” elaborated Sally Librera, NYC Transit Senior Vice President for Subways in her conversation with ABC7 New York, last month.

NYC Transit also stresses upon the use of safety features to ensure the safety of those workers who are in charge of cleaning of the trains via UVC technology.

It is clear that the industry is finally acknowledging the power and utility of UV Technology in its fight against disease-causing pathogens. With countries reopening and people getting back to their daily grind, sanitization of public transports and other public spaces will be more crucial than ever. Big or small, private or public – every space needs to be disinfected and that’s where UV technology is gaining momentum.

After all it is for something that the global UV disinfection equipment market was valued at $1.3 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $5.7 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 17.1% from 2020 to 2027, as per Allied Market Research.

For the complete story please read the source article:

https://abc7ny.com/ultraviolet-subway-cleaning-coronavirus-nyc-reopen/6244595/

Original article

As a company, we take extreme pride in our Founder & CEO Ekamdeep Singh getting featured in LEDs Magazine 40 Under 40 Class of 2020, for his outstanding contribution to the LED and SSL industry.

Singh, like any other entrepreneur had a modest start in 2014 in the US and just over a span of six years he has taken IKIO to new heights. His constant urge to innovate and invest in R&D has led the company to introduce some breakthrough products in the market – a High Bay Light with 200 lumens per watt was one such milestone. Until then, the industry average was around 170-180 lumens per watt. IKIO under Singh’s leadership managed to develop a truly 200 lumens per watt product, which signifies lesser energy consumption while giving more light output. Stressing further upon company’s R&D capabilities he makes a special mention of his new brand Axenic-UV saying, “The brand caters to highly technological disinfection & detection solutions. We could launch this brand during these tough times only because of our strong R&D background and a proactive approach.”

IKIO was also featured in Inc.5000’s annual list of Midwest’s fastest growing companies. “I must say these achievements have helped in increasing our credibility in the market and we as a team strive to achieve many more in our journey ahead,” says Singh enthusiastically. He’s not the one to shy away from giving the entire credit to his team that according to him is his biggest strength.

“I thank LEDs Magazine for this recognition. It feels great to be placed amongst such phenomenal talent. A special thanks to my team who has been constantly working with me in bringing about a change in the LED industry. It encourages us to keep innovating and to keep working hard as this is just the beginning,” says Singh while modestly accepting the recognition.

For some, when achievements come galore they push themselves to work even harder & reach new heights and our CEO is certainly one of them.

To read more about Ekamdeep Singh’s individual profile in LEDs Magazine click here:
https://www.ledsmagazine.com/leds-ssl-design/article/14179943/leds-magazine-40-under-40-profile-ekamdeep-singh

Original article

After various international airlines & airports, it’s Boeing Co. that is looking at Ultraviolet (UV) technology to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company is developing a hand-held wand that emits ultraviolet light to neutralize bacteria and viruses, part of a suite of methods to disinfect flight deck surfaces and controls, as well as surfaces throughout the cabin. The wand would eliminate the need for using alcohol or other disinfectants that could damage sensitive electronic equipment, explained Rae Lutters, Chief Engineer for Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator Program as reported by Fox Business.

Here, it is important to throw some light on Florida’s Atlas Aviation incident, reported last month, where the instrument panels of two of its Cessna 172 aircrafts were damaged due to improper use of disinfecting liquids or sprays. The incident occurred while the aircrafts were rented and led to costly repairs. This re-instills the fact that UV technology could become an alternative to disinfect aircrafts and other expensive machinery.

Boeing is looking at licensing the wand technology and hiring third-party companies in the fall to begin manufacturing for commercial use. It has been working on the technology with 13 different airlines. Doug Christensen, a Boeing Technical Fellow, leading testing of the wand prototype, asserted that there’s a ‘very strong interest’ from various carriers in a bid to restore public’s confidence in flying again.

Original article

Since the pandemic is showing no signs of leaving our lives anytime soon, different organizations are adopting different measures to fight it in their own ways. And, the age-old UV technology is clearly coming out to be one of the best. With sporting events halted for quite some time now, various teams, stadiums and facilities are turning to UV Disinfection devices in order to provide a safer environment to their players and public alike.

In October this year, Carolina Panthers of NFC South, in their series ‘Road to Restart’ stressed upon the need to use UV-based devices in order to keep their facility free of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. They are using not only big robots but also small UV mobile devices to disinfect player pads, cleats and helmets after every practice.

“We started using robots to disinfect locker rooms, the weight room, rehab areas and offices during the camp, and we have expanded their use throughout the building and throughout the stadium,” said Eddie Levins, director of security and infectious control officer for the Carolina Panthers and Bank of America Stadium. “We can use it in suites, using it in any public space where we need a quick down-and-dirty sanitization. We clean it, and then we disinfect it so it’s ready to go, so people can feel safe coming in here again.”

Another NFL Team, Denver Broncos is following in the footsteps by deploying UV-based cabinets to disinfect anything from a rack of footballs to a tackling dummy or sets of dumbbells – it helps to sanitize the equipment from all angles from bacteria and viruses.

As reported by Forbes, the Broncos are testing the UVC-based technology as part of a pilot program. They are using it mainly in their equipment storage area. Staff can bring equipment in from the field, run a cycle, then bring the equipment back onto the field in a matter of minutes; each cycle is logged via a digital tag and stored in a cloud-based platform to ensure proper use, tracking and disinfection frequency.

Highlighting the chemical-free aspect of UV disinfection, Senior Vice President of Operations, Chip Conway, who is at the forefront of safety measures for the Broncos told Forbes, “We spray a lot of chemicals in the weight room, so if we can lessen that amount we’re spraying and breathing in, I think it would be better for everyone. I definitely see the benefit of UVC and the studies I’ve seen are very encouraging. … It’s definitely something that I think we’re on the tip of the iceberg of finding different areas to use it in. I definitely see it expanding for sure.”

Not far behind are the Miami Dolphins, who are directly targeting the air they breathe. Efforts are being made to retrofit the team’s facility with a series of UVC lights and air sanitizing troffers that are believed to eliminate virtually all of the coronavirus in the environment.

By adopting such measures, the teams are not only able to restart their practice but also welcome back their fans, though in limited number, to enjoy watching their favorite players back in action.

Where a lot of organizations around the country are operating from home, sports facilities are perhaps one of the very few that don’t have that possibility. In such a scenario, germicidal UV technology that is proving its mettle through innumerous research studies and pilot programs is light at the end of the tunnel.

Original article

As the world is still struggling to combat coronavirus, researchers from Tel AvivUniversity (TAU) have proven that it can be killed efficiently, quickly, and cheaply using ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs). This is the first study that worked on the disinfection efficiency of UV-LED irradiation at different wavelengths or frequencies on a virus from the family of coronaviruses.

Key findings
LEDs emitting light with a wavelength of 285 nanometers were almost as efficient in disinfecting the virus as those with a wavelength of 265 nanometers, requiring less than half a minute to destroy more than 99.9% of the coronaviruses. This result is significant because the cost of 285-nanometer LED bulbs is 30% lower than that of 265-nanometer bulbs, said Hadas Mamane, head of Tel Aviv University’s Environmental Engineering Program, who led the study.

How this study is any different from numerous others that have already added enough value to the effectiveness of UV LED in disinfecting the virus.
“The fact that UV kills viruses is not a new thing, and it is well-known. But what we have done is to produce the first study looking at the wavelength needed, also known as the frequency, to check exactly what level of energy is needed to kill the coronavirus. We hope the finding that less energetic LEDs than previously thought kill the coronavirus will make this technology more widespread,” explained Mamane in a conversation with the Times of Israel.

The new study doesn’t take away the fact that UV LEDs should be used in the absence of human beings unless otherwise specified.
As Mamane stresses, “The LEDs, while less powerful than those currently used for disinfection, would still prove dangerous to humans and therefore should only be activated when people are away from the surface being cleaned.” She further elaborated on how this research has commercial and societal implications, given the possibility of using such LED bulbs in all areas of our lives, safely and quickly. UV-LEDs can be put to use in ventilation systems and air conditioners for a quicker and easier disinfection in comparison to chemical-based methods. Moreover, this UV-LED technology doesn’t contain mercury like traditional bulbs and consumes less energy, making it one of the best solutions at the moment.

With scientists and researchers from across the globe conducting numerous studies on UV-LED technology and their subsequent positive outcomes are certainly putting this technology at the forefront in dealing with the current pandemic.

To read the source article please click here: The Times of Israel

Original article

With KeyWest International airport going the ultraviolet way for its disinfection purposes, the list of country’s airports that have been placing their trust in the technology is indeed becoming longer.

The airport authorities have chosen a UV disinfection robot that is autonomous and can move freely around the airport. It has powerful sensors that switch off the UVC lamp the moment they detect humans in the vicinity – further enhancing its safety factor. It is believed to finish the disinfection cycle of interior spaces within just 2.5 hours. The UV light robot began patrolling inside the airport last month covering all the areas from washrooms to check-in counters and boasts of a chemical-free air disinfection.

The airport officials rely on the high-intensity UVC wavelength to kill 99.9% of harmful pathogens. “UV technology is another fantastic disinfection tool to rid surfaces of COVID-19 currently on the market,” said Richard Strickland, Sr.Director of Airports, Key West International Airport. “Our continued commitment to the health and safety of all of our guests as well as our employees has to come first.” With this UV light addition to its disinfection routine, Strickland wants to reassure passengers that the airport is ready to do everything possible to protect them from Covid-19.

Increasing acceptance of UVC light for disinfection purposes at international airports should put to rest all the doubts surrounding its impact. Indubitably, one has to follow all the safety guidelines and always keep trained professionals at the forefront when it comes to operating UV disinfection products.

Original artile