Aixtron to partner in ‘GraFunkL‘ UVC project
Aixtron SE has announced that it is a partner in the 'GraFunkL' (Graphene as a functional layer in UVC LEDs) research project for the use of novel UVC LEDs, which, among other things, are to be used against multi-resistant hospital pathogens.
Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to the tune of €2.1 million over the next three years, the project will also use the expertise of the University of Duisburg-Essen Materials for Electrical Engineering department headed by Gerd Bacher; Aachen-based Protemics, which specialises in terahertz measurement technology; and the Regensburg-based lighting and sensor company Ams Osram.
UV radiation has been used to combat multi-resistant germs for more than 100 years. When UV rays with a specific wavelength (265 to 286 nanometers) hit viruses or bacteria, they destroy the chemical bonds – including the DNA of the pathogens.
“What is innovative about the project is the direct deposition of graphene on the UVC LED wafer. These new photonic components are suitable for a range of applications, including the decontamination of microbially contaminated indoor air, wastewater or surfaces,” explains Michael Heuken, VP Advanced Technologies at Aixtron.
The use of graphene improves both energy efficiency and light output. A layer of carbon just one atom thick, with high electrical conductivity and high optical transparency, is integrated into the UVC LEDs, thereby increasing the efficiency of the light-emitting diodes.
Another key objective of the GraFunkL project is to develop a platform that makes it possible to apply graphene over a large area – i.e. with wafers up to 150 millimeters in diameter. This, in turn, should be integrated into an industrial production line for UVC LEDs. The production of larger quantities, in combination with the improved efficiency of the novel UVC LEDs, forms the basis for a greater use and dissemination of this technology – for example in the medical field. In addition, the project will also provide insights into graphene growth on non-metallic substrates.
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