710430UV LED disinfectionClosedGRD Proof of ConceptInnovate UKOzone Industries Ltd is Europe’s largest producer of small ozone generators used in the hygiene market. Having recently achieved the TUV mark for its top selling odour treatment unit, the company intends to maintain its market lead with the development of ultraviolet LED disinfection products fit for the 21st century. The battle against existing and emerging infections continues to be a major area of concern, particularly in healthcare and the food sector. Recent legislation has severely restricted the development of disinfectants, squeezing small companies out of the market completely due to the high cost of new product authorisation. Ultraviolet light (uv), at specific wavelengths, is a powerful biocide, an effect which can be enhanced on surfaces using catalyst coatings (photocatalytic oxidation). UV is not covered by the recent legislation, giving it a major market advantage. However, uv is currently generated using fragile mercury filled bulbs. This has restricted their use and specialist disposal is required at the end of their life. LED technology has exploded onto the lighting market in recent years and has gained a significant market share in little more than 5 years. This is due to LEDs inherent advantages of efficiency, non-toxicity and configurability. Recently, LEDs capable of producing biocidal wavelengths of uv have been developed. These LEDs will be tested alongside existing longer wavelength uv LEDs to characterise their efficacy with and without surface catalysts. Ozone Industries will be the first company in Europe to develop uv LED prototypes. These developments will be suitable for our existing customer base in hygiene in addition to opening up new market opportunities. The project will focus on obtaining solid scientific data on microbial disinfection at different uv LED wavelengths on both surfaces and in the air. The data will be used to aid the integration of uv LEDs into our existing ozone deodorising units to produce a unique disinfection/odour treatment product and to produce prototype surface disinfection units for niche markets.