Patent Application
20220293412
The hexagonal polymorph of boron nitride (h-BN) consists of a stacking of boron and nitrogen atoms, where the different layers are bonded by weak van der Waals forces. h-BN has high thermal conductivity but low electrical conductivity. This rare characteristic, and its strong chemical and thermal stability, make h-BN a very attractive material for many applications. h-BN powders are used in cosmetics and as a lubricant in extreme environments such as in space. They can also be pressed and shaped in the form of crucibles for high-temperature applications. More recently, h-BN has been shown to be useful as a light-emitting semiconductor. Owing to its wide bandgap, which is of comparable or higher energy than Al(Ga)N (aluminum nitride or aluminum gallium nitride), h-BN can be used to address some of the critical challenges of Al(Ga)N-based devices such as field-emission lamps (FELs).
The synthesis of commercially produced h-BN involves using a boric oxide or acid and a nitrogen-containing compound. Following this reaction, an annealing procedure is required to remove any residual oxide and to crystallize the obtained amorphous BN. The conventional synthesis methods of h-BN powders are facile but leave defects that cause undesirable and low-efficiency light emission. High-pressure and high-temperature methods create better h-BN material, but still introduce impurities inherent in the process. In addition, these methods produce small flakes that are difficult to spread onto a large area. Mechanical and chemical exfoliation techniques are well-established but are slow and of low yield. As a result, a high-throughput and low-cost, but higher quality and purity, process for the synthesis of light-emitting-grade h-BN, is lacking.
Ultraviolet (UV) FELs are of particular interest, especially UV-FELs that can operate in a wavelength range of approximately 200-230 nanometers (nm), because UV light in that wavelength range does not harm human skin but still has germicidal properties. Thus, UV-FELs that operate within that wavelength range can be deployed around people but can still be used for inactivating or killing bacteria and viruses (such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)) in the air and on surfaces in, for example, homes, offices, classrooms, and hospitals.
Known conventional sources of UV light that can be employed in the 200-230 nm range are problematic for a number of reasons. Existing lamps include a long tube containing krypton and chorine gas, which can pose a health hazard if the tube is broken. Additionally, these lamps are fragile and can be damaged by handling with bare hands, as oil from the skin can cause a failure in an operating lamp. Finally, these tubes are very hot when operating, so much so that they cannot be deployed in applications that bring them close to people.
Embodiments according to the present invention provide a solution to the problems described above.
Disclosed herein are improved ultraviolet field-emission lamps (UV-FELs) that can be safely deployed close to people because they eliminate the use of toxic materials, mitigate heating issues, and emit light in a wavelength range that is safe for human exposure. Also disclosed are apparatuses that utilize the improved UV-FELs to disinfect surfaces and objects to eliminate the causes of dangerous diseases, including SARS-COV-2, the coronavirus responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic.
In embodiments, a UV-FEL includes a first plate (e.g., a faceplate that includes or that can act as an anode) that includes a heat-conducting material (e.g., a metal), a second plate (e.g., a backplate) that includes a light-transmitting material, an emitter between the first plate and the second plate and that is a source of UV light, a light-reflective material between the emitter and the first plate, and a cathode between the emitter and the second plate, where the cathode has an opening or openings formed therein. In operation, the UV light from the emitter passes through the opening(s) and through the second plate.
In embodiments, substantially all of the UV light has a wavelength in a range of 200-230 nanometers (nm).
In embodiments, the operating temperature of the UV-FEL remains below 100 degrees Celsius (° C.). The operating temperature may also be less than 50° C. or even less than 35° C.
In embodiments, the emitter includes hexagonal boron nitride. In other embodiments, the emitter includes gallium nitride, aluminum nitride, aluminum gallium nitride, or indium aluminum gallium nitride.
These and other objects and advantages of the various embodiments of the present invention will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the embodiments that are illustrated in the various drawing figures.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification and in which like numerals depict like elements, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily to scale.
Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While described in conjunction with these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the disclosure to these embodiments. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure.
The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and only portions of the devices and structures depicted, as well as the various layers that form those structures, are shown. For simplicity of discussion and illustration, only one or two devices or structures may be described, although in actuality more than one or two devices or structures may be present or formed. Also, while certain elements, components, and layers are discussed, embodiments according to the invention are not limited to those elements, components, and layers. For example, there may be other elements, components, layers, and the like in addition to those discussed.
As mentioned previously herein, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) has been shown to be useful as a light-emitting semiconductor. Because of its wide bandgap, which is of comparable or higher energy than Al(Ga)N (aluminum nitride or aluminum gallium nitride), h-BN can be used to address some of the critical challenges of Al(Ga)N-based devices such as field-emission lamps (FELs).
As noted above, a successful far-UV germicidal FEL that is safe for humans requires an emission spectrum in the range of 200-230 nanometers (nm) without substantial additional emission in the rest of the UV spectral range. In the case of h-BN, this is achieved by maximizing the desirable emission range while minimizing, or ideally suppressing, the undesirable defect emissions greater than 250 nm. A ratio R can be used to define the intensity of desirable emission A over the intensity of undesirable emission B, where the value of R should be as high as possible: R=A/B.
In an ideal light-emitting semiconductor, radiative recombination is a result of a band-to-band (or excitonic) transition between an electron in the conduction band and a hole in the valance band, resulting in a photon being emitted with a wavelength corresponding to the bandgap (or exciton) energy. However, due to material imperfections, intermediate transitions can also occur.
Crystalline defects, such as point defects, dislocations, or stacking faults, can lead to trap states within the bandstructure that cause nonradiative recombination. Improving the material quality enhances radiative as opposed to nonradiative recombination (e.g., the internal quantum efficiency, IQE), resulting in a higher value of A. In the case of h-BN, this means forming proper bonds between the boron and nitrogen atoms, either during a controlled bottom-up growth approach (epitaxy) and/or by promoting a recrystallization of the existing material by thermal annealing.
Additionally, especially in wide-bandgap semiconductors where there is room within the bandgap for a variety of intermediate transitions, material imperfections can lead to radiative recombination resulting in a photon with an energy lower than that of the bandgap (or exciton). This guides the value of B. These intermediate transitions can occur between donor and/or acceptor levels, and defect states that originate from point defects such as impurities and vacancies.
In the case of h-BN, possible causes include oxygen and carbon impurities, as well as boron and nitrogen vacancies. To address the impurities, the starting materials are of the highest purity possible, avoiding compounds containing oxygen, hydrogen, and/or carbon. The synthesis environment is also void of such unwanted impurities, under ultra-high vacuum. Alternatively, an ultra-high purity nitrogen or inert gas (e.g., argon) environment is used. Although harder to control in practice, boron and/or nitrogen vacancies can be addressed by tuning the ratio of boron and nitrogen atoms during synthesis. While a one-to-one stoichiometry is desired for h-BN, this may actually require a higher amount of one element to be provided during growth. A complementary or alternative approach is refining the existing material by thermal annealing to force the correct type of atom to migrate into the vacancy site.
By both increasing the value of A and decreasing the value of B, the value of R can be maximized.
Lastly, while as discussed R is primarily dependent on the intrinsic material quality, the method and conditions of excitation may promote some charge carrier transitions more than others. For example, there may be differences in the emission spectrum obtained by photoluminescence, cathodoluminescence, and electroluminescence. Many defect/trap states can be suppressed at cryogenic temperatures and do not participate anymore in the recombination process. Some intermediate or excitonic transitions only occur at low excitation, while some emission peaks can only be observed under a high excitation regime. The surface and bulk of the material may also behave differently due to the presence of surface (generally nonradiative) states, so the emission profile may change by exciting the surface or bulk of the material. As a two-dimensional material, the bandstructure and therefore related properties of h-BN can change between monolayer, few layer, and bulk thicknesses.
Disclosed herein are high-throughput, low cost, high quality, and purity processes for the synthesis of light-emitting-grade h-BN that incorporate features including those described above, such as high-purity starting materials, ultra-high vacuum conditions, and recrystallization by annealing.
The substrate 106 is a high-temperature-tolerant substrate such as sapphire, silicon dioxide (SiO2), or a metal such as nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), platinum (Pt), rubidium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), or cobalt (Co). In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 also includes a nitrogen plasma source 110 (e.g., a radio-frequency (RF) nitrogen plasma source) that can be directed toward the substrate 106. Methods of synthesizing h-BN with the apparatus 100 are described below with reference to
The apparatus 200 also includes a device 212 such as an electron beam (e-beam) gun that can evaporate the boron in the source 204. Methods of synthesizing h-BN with the apparatus 200 are described below with reference to
The synthesis of h-BN using the apparatus 100 or the apparatus 200 is now described with reference also to
In block 302, the HV chamber 102 is evacuated to a pressure of less than 10−3 Torr, specifically a pressure in the range of 10−6 to 10−10 Torr.
In block 304, particles of boron are generated from a boron source inside the HV chamber 102. In the
In the
Sputtering has the advantage of wafer-scale growth of h-BN with good control and reproducibility of stoichiometry and material quality. Significantly, it does not require the use of solvents, toxic precursors, or reactive gases. It also offers flexibility in choosing the substrate material. In addition, it is not a self-limiting process as is often the case with chemical vapor deposition (CVD).
In the
In the
The substrate is heated to high temperatures (greater than 700° C., preferably above 900° C., but less than 1500° C.) to promote h-BN crystalline growth rather than polycrystalline BN formation. The substrate temperature can be closely controlled using temperature (e.g., proportional-integral-derivative (PID)) controllers and possibly multi-zone heaters, and monitored using thermocouples and pyrometers, so that any non-uniformity in boron flux would lead to only small variations in film thickness, which is not a critical issue.
The nitrogen plasma source 110 can be directed towards the substrate 106 to supply the active species to form (grow) h-BN on the surface of the substrate. Alternatively, the growth can be performed in a nitrogen-rich regime (the boron flux is rate-limiting), in which case multiple plasma heads can be utilized, especially at high deposition rates. This also helps reduce non-uniformities across the substrate inside the chamber 102.
In block 306 of
In the
In the
In the
In the
In block 308 of
In the
In an embodiment, the container 402 is a quartz tube. In embodiments, the container 402 is evacuated to a pressure less than 10−3 Torr, specifically to a pressure in the range of 10−6 to 10−10 Torr. In other embodiments, the container 402 is back-purged with nitrogen gas.
High-quality h-BN, produced using the apparatus 100 or 200 of
An h-BN sample 401 is loaded into the container 402, specifically into the portion of the container that will be located in the first zone 404a of the chamber 404. In block 502 of
In block 504, in an embodiment, the container 402 is heated to a relatively high temperature (e.g., greater than 900° C.), but lower than, or not much higher than, the BN decomposition temperature (about 1400° C.), in order to anneal the h-BN flakes 405 by promoting some reconstruction. Other than the process duration, the ramp rates can be adjusted for either a slow annealing or rapid thermal annealing.
In block 506, the heating process is terminated, and the resulting h-BN flakes 405 can be collected from inside the container 402 after they have cooled sufficiently (e.g., after they return to room temperature).
Multiple cycles of the process just described can be performed to further refine the h-BN that is produced by the process.
The method of
A sample 601 of elemental boron (e.g., greater than 99.999 percent purity) that is finely ground (to about one μm or smaller) and ultra-high-purity N2 gas (e.g., 99.9999 percent purity) are loaded into the container 602. In an embodiment, an h-BN seed crystal can be introduced into the container 602 to promote nucleation sites for the h-BN crystals to grow.
In block 702 of
In block 704, in an embodiment, the process described above in conjunction with
In block 706, the method is terminated, and the resulting h-BN can be collected from inside the container 602 after it has cooled sufficiently (e.g., after it returns to room temperature).
A benefit of the method just described is that it does not require the use of toxic precursors, solvents, or reactive gases.
Nitrogen gas or an inert gas like argon can be flowed through the container 806 to minimize the presence of undesired contaminants and protect the h-BN in the sample 808. Alternatively, this can be done under low vacuum or even high vacuum.
In block 1102 of
This annealing process, performed on previously fabricated h-BN, can further refine the h-BN quality and therefore its optical properties. The face-to-face annealing process performed using the structure 1000 can promote diffusion onto the substrates 1002 and 1004 and/or prevent h-BN decomposition at high temperatures (e.g., greater than 1400° C.).
In block 1104, the resulting h-BN can be collected after it cools sufficiently (e.g., after it returns to room temperature).
The process parameters and sequence of steps described illustrated herein are given by way of example only and can be varied as desired. For example, while the steps described herein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps do not necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated or discussed. The various example methods described herein may also omit one or more of the steps described herein or include additional steps in addition to those disclosed.
The present invention, as disclosed in the embodiments of
The h-BN produced as disclosed herein can be used in FELs including ultraviolet (UV) FELs that operate in a wavelength range of 200-230 nm, which can be deployed around people and used for inactivating or killing bacteria and viruses including SARS-CoV-2. In an embodiment, the light emitted by the UV-FELs is limited to the wavelength range of 200-230 nm. In another embodiment, the light emitted by the UV-FELs is substantially in the wavelength range of 200-230 nm. The term “substantially” is used here to mean that some of the emitted UV light may be outside that range, but not enough light is outside that range, or that light is not outside that range for a long enough period of time, to be unsafe for humans. Examples of such lamps are described below.
The discussion to follow is primarily based on an example semiconductor material that includes aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN). In general, the semiconductor material can include a combination of Group III elements and a Group V element. Group III elements include, for example, Al, Ga, and indium (In). Group V elements include, for example, nitrogen.
Gallium nitride (GaN) and aluminum nitride (AlN) are direct bandgap semiconductors that emit at approximately 365 nm and 210 nm, respectively. By forming a ternary AlGaN alloy, the emission wavelength can be tuned to any value in that range by adjusting the Al composition. Al-rich AlGaN, with Al compositions varying from approximately 50-90 percent, is used for light emitting diodes (LEDs) operating in the UV-B (280-315 nm) and UV-C (100-280 nm) bands. Also disclosed herein is the use of AlGaN materials as the light emitter in cathodoluminescence (CL)-based devices.
For an efficient CL-based lamp, the film thickness is preferably several microns thick given the penetration depth of the excitation electron beam. A growth rate between 300 nm to one μm per hour is typically achieved by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Faster growth rates (e.g., several μm/hr) can be achieved by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) of AlGaN with much faster growth rates has also been demonstrated. The wafer 1300 can be used as-is as a UV-emissive coated glass for optical or electron pumped emitter systems. The film can also be separated from the host substrate to be used as a free-standing layer or transferred onto a foreign substrate.
UV-FELs and their Applications
The emitter 1804 is a CL material coated on the faceplate 1802 that is the source of light for the FEL 1800. The anode metal 1806 is a high conductivity and reflectivity layer that serves as an electrical contact to the emitter 1804 as well as a reflector to direct light emitted away from the faceplate 1802 back toward the faceplate and out of the FEL 1800. The anode contact 1808 is conductive frit material that serves to electrically connect the anode metal 1806 to the outside of the FEL 1800, where it can be contacted by a power supply (not shown).
A spacer tube 1810 is a hollow glass tube that serves to separate the cathode 1812 and the anode 1806, and provides locations for electrical contacts and for vacuum and purge tubes 1814 and 1816. The vacuum tube 1814 allows connection of a vacuum system to the FEL 1800, to enable evacuation of the lamp interior to high vacuum levels, as required for lamp operation. The purge tube 1816 allows the introduction of nitrogen to the FEL 1800 prior to the lamp being sealed.
The frits (e.g., the frit 1818) are insulating glass that serve as an adhesive to bond the faceplate 1802 and the baseplate 1820 together. The baseplate 1820 is a glass plate upon which the cathode contact 1822, cathode metal 1824, and cathode 1812 are located. The cathode 1812 is the source of electrons in the FEL 1800. The cathode metal 1824 is the electric contact to the cathode 1812. The cathode contact 1822 is a conductive glass frit that connects the cathode metal 1824 to the exterior of the FEL 1800 for connection to the power supply.
During operation, a high voltage (e.g., 1-20 kilovolts) is applied between the cathode 1812 and anode 1806, which causes electrons to be accelerated towards the anode and, after passing through the thin metal of the anode, to bombard the emitter 1804. The emitter 1804 is brought into an excited state by the electrons, and then emits light. The interior of the FEL 1800 is kept under sufficient vacuum to allow this to occur (e.g., a pressure less than 10−6 Torr).
During operation, the relatively low efficiency of the emitter 1804 will lead to a very high operating temperature for the FEL 1800. This heating effect occurs in the emitter 1804 and affects only the emitter side (the faceplate side) of the lamp.
Embodiments according to the present invention introduce a design that allows heat to be better extracted from a UV-FEL, and especially from the region of the emitter of a UV-FEL.
In the
There is a wide variety of materials that are suitable for heat extraction including (but not limited to) copper (Cu), gold (Au), silver (Ag), tungsten (W), aluminum (Al), aluminum nitride (AlN), and silicon carbide (SiC). The use of metal allows design alterations that improve thermal management and also eases manufacture.
In embodiments, the reflective metal of the anode 1908 can be deposited in such a way as to cover the emitter 1902 in the manner illustrated, and also contact the metal frame 1906 surrounding the emitter. In the
Another approach is to introduce an organized perturbation of the outer surface of the UV-transparent material 1910 by introducing a pattern that can assist with light extraction, such as microlenses or prisms on the surface of the UV-transparent material.
In embodiments, the emitter 1902 may be grown via a semiconductor epitaxy process (e.g., MBE, MOCVD, etc.) onto a substrate that meets the requirements of the faceplate of an FEL. Such physical requirements include being strong enough to be used in the construction of the FEL (as it holds a vacuum). The substrate can be either highly transmissive in the spectral region of interest (ideally 200-230 nm), or highly reflective in that spectral region of interest (either by native properties or by the deposition of a reflective layer prior to emitter growth).
If the substrate is of the transmissive type (for example, sapphire), then it can be used in place of the UV-transparent material 1910 described above, either with the metal frame or as the entire faceplate. The substrate used as the faceplate (or parts of it) can be prepared as described herein to improve light extraction. Additionally, such a UV-transparent substrate, with a deposited emitter, can be bonded to the metal (or heat extracting) frame via an adhesive with good thermal conduction properties.
If the substrate is of the reflective type, then it can be used in concert with a heat-extracting frame, or, if its thermal transport properties are sufficient (e.g., similar to the examples given above) it can be used as the entire faceplate.
In block 1952, nanowires are grown on a substrate. The nanowires include a semiconductor material including at least a Group III element and a Group V element.
In block 1954, the substrate (including the nanowires) is formed into at least a portion of a faceplate of the FEL.
When metal is used for the faceplate 2004, the light produced by the emitter 2002 cannot pass through the faceplate and is reflected back towards the cathode 2008 and baseplate 2006. In embodiments, the reflective metal of the anode 2010 is deposited directly on the faceplate 2004, and the emitter 2002 is deposited atop the anode. Accordingly, the baseplate 2006 is made from UV-transparent material such as that described above, and may be roughened or patterned also as described above. Additionally, the cathode 2008 can be patterned in such a way as to allow light to escape in that direction from the UV-FEL 2000. Examples of patterned cathodes are presented in
When metal is used for the faceplate 2004, it can act as the anode of the UV-FEL, because both the reflective anode metal 2010 and the emitter 2002 will be in contact with it. This eliminates the need to deposit a conductive glass frit for the anode connection as in the example of
The use of metal in the faceplate 2004 provides a number of other advantages relative to the example of
Moreover, if the faceplate and tubes are made of a softer metal, such as copper, then the tubes can be sealed mechanically by crimping the ends shut with sufficient pressure. This represents a significant advantage over the flame-sealing approach in terms of ease of process and worker safety.
Alternatively, if copper tubes, for example, are used for the purge and vacuum operations, they can be sealed during evacuation by brazing or cold welding (crimping). This has the advantage of not relying on the high flame temperatures required for glass melting.
In general, metal tubes are easier and cheaper to manufacture than a glass tube and are much less fragile.
Cooling can also be provided or improved by a fan that may be mounted to the metal faceplate of a UV-FEL to provide additional airflow and thermal transfer.
As mentioned above with reference to
During production and operation, UV-FELs according to the present invention are expected to experience a wide range of temperatures. As several different materials may be utilized in the UV-FELs, it is important that thermal stresses due to different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) are considered and mitigated properly.
To limit the stresses due to CTE mismatching, parts that may be affected can be joined by what is known as a toughened and flexibilized adhesive. Such an adhesive has a shear strength greater than 1000 psi (pounds per square inch), and an elastic modulus less than 50,000 psi. For UV-FELs, the adhesive used is also suitable for vacuum applications. An adhesive (or epoxy) with these characteristics lessens the stresses from CTE mismatch by deforming and absorbing some of the strain.
Another method for avoiding or mitigating the stresses due to CTE mismatch is to gradually reduce step-wise the CTE mismatch using a sequence of materials between two parts that have smaller individual CTE differences. As an example, connecting a copper part (CTE 17 parts per million (ppm)) to a borosilicate glass part (CTE 3.3 ppm) yields a CTE mismatch of 13.7 ppm, which would result in a large stress buildup during temperature cycling. If the copper is connected to a layer of nickel, which is in turn connected to a layer of iron, and then connected to a layer of tungsten, the largest difference in CTE between adjacent layers is 6.5 ppm, resulting in a much lower buildup of stress. Combining this method with the high shear/low modulus adhesive approach described just above can lessen the stress buildup even further.
Instead of or in addition to using a soft organic adhesive to join parts and thereby minimize CTE mismatch, a soft metal can be used. Indium is a very malleable metal that nevertheless is strong enough to be used to join materials. For example, indium is used in the semiconductor industry to create reliable, long-term bonds between silicon (CTE 2.6 ppm) and copper (CTE 17 ppm) in applications that see considerable thermal cycling (e.g., a copper heat sink on a silicon chip).
In addition to the improvements already described herein, another improvement is to incorporate into UV-FELs a phosphor that emits in the visible spectrum (450-750 nm), so that there is an indication that the lamp is operating. When properly configured, the light emitted in the 200-230 nm range is completely invisible to the human eye, so it is useful to know if the UV-FEL is functioning correctly at a glance and without the need for a UV indicator card or power meter.
To summarize, improved UV-FELs as disclosed herein can be safely deployed close to people owing to the elimination of toxic materials, the mitigation of heating issues, and the emission of light confined to a wavelength range that is safe for human exposure. Following is a discussion and illustration of examples of apparatuses that incorporate those improvements and benefits, and can be employed to eliminate the causes of dangerous diseases, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the coronavirus responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the examples below, the UV-FELs are shown as relatively small devices arranged in an array so as to produce uniform germicidal irradiation. The arrays of smaller UV-FELs can be replaced by larger or even smaller UV-FELs, depending on the scale of the application and associated requirements for uniformity of irradiation. For example, several smaller UV-FELs can be replaced by a single larger lamp that employs a diffuser that can spread the emitted light and so can achieve the required uniformity of irradiation with fewer lamps. The number of UV-FELs used in apparatuses such as those described below, and the arrangement of the UV-FELs, depend on factors such as the size of the lamps, the size of the application, the energy required, and the efficiency of the apparatus.
The container 2502 can be used for the disinfection of objects. Accordingly, in embodiments, the container 2502 includes an array 2504 of UV-FELs (e.g., the UV-FEL 2506) on one, some, or all of its interior surfaces. The object to be disinfected can be placed inside the container 2502 through the aforementioned opening. If so desired, the door or cover 2510 can then be closed so that the object is completely enclosed inside the container 2502. In an embodiment, a platform 2508 or the like for supporting the object to be disinfected (e.g., a wire grid or UV-transparent slab of material) is used so that even the underside of the object is exposed to a lower array of UV-FELs, to insure proper disinfection of the entire object. The container 2502 can be powered from a suitably sized battery or using wired connection to a common electric outlet, for example.
The container 2502 provides a means by which an everyday object can be disinfected while minimizing the effect of shadowing on the process and also while providing a more thorough disinfection than would be achieved by the use of a standard UV lamp, which typically illuminates the item to be disinfected from one side only. Because all sides of the object can be disinfected at the same time using the container 2502, less time is needed to perform a complete disinfection.
The container 2502 can be manufactured in different sizes depending on the intended application, and can be applied to a variety of objects of any practical size. The size of the container 2502 can be small enough so that it is relatively lightweight and portable, and as such can be practically transported and used in different locations, such as by a person that is out shopping.
In contrast to contemporary UV disinfection lights that are large, fragile, and cannot be safely inserted into objects, the apparatus 2600 can be safely inserted into an interior location without fear of breakage or other damage. The apparatus 2600 can be used, for example, in a janitorial setting to disinfect regions that would not be reached by overhead disinfecting systems, such as the underside of a desk or within a closet. A smaller version can be used to disinfect, for example, the interior of a purse or backpack.
The array 2702 of UV-FELs provides the equivalent of a large, extended light source. That is something that a competing technology cannot provide without using many conventional lights that are placed very close to each other, which produces significant thermal issues. Also, conventional lights are fragile and include toxic components. The extended light source of the apparatus 2700 allows for uniform illumination of a work area from a short distance, which means that the required disinfecting dose can be reached in a shorter period of time compared to a conventional light at the same distance. Also, the extended light source of the apparatus 2700 can reduce shadowing effects if the surface being disinfected is not perfectly smooth.
The apparatus 2700 can be used to disinfect food preparation surfaces or the surface of workspaces in factories, for example. The apparatus 2700 is portable, so it can be employed between work shifts or between classes in a school, for example.
The adjustable design of the apparatus 2800 makes it suitable for the thorough disinfection of irregularly sized objects that are not easy or convenient to move such as, for example, a piece of factory equipment or a desk telephone.
The apparatus 2800 allows for the disinfection of all surfaces of the object in a much more thorough manner than illumination from a single UV lamp. Although the apparatus 2800 is shown with four sets of two side panels each, the central panel 2806 can have any practical number of sides with one or more panels attached to each side. The size of the apparatus 2800 can range from that of a desk lamp, for example, to a large wheeled device that can be transported (e.g., rolled) from location to location.
Also, the panels on the apparatus 2800 can be folded so that the arrays of UV-FELs point away from the apparatus, so they can be used to disinfect the interior of a large space.
Contemporary UV lamps cannot be used in the manner just described, because they get hot enough to pose a danger to close objects, which makes such lamps useless for thoroughly disinfecting a piece of equipment from all sides. The apparatus 2800 can be used to disinfect bedside medical equipment without interrupting their function or to disinfect gym equipment, for example.
The apparatus 2900 includes a container 2906 that is open (e.g., in the front) and has arrays (e.g., the array 2902) of UV-FELs on its interior surfaces except for the surface 2908 (e.g., the bottom surface). The surface 2908 is lined or covered with a material with high reflectance in the 200-230 nm range. The combination of UV-FELs on the interior surfaces and the reflective lower surface provide a disinfected environment on their own accord. However, in embodiments, the apparatus 2900 also includes an air disinfection system 2910 that recirculates air (e.g., using a blower 2916) from the container 2902 through a UV-transparent manifold 2912 (
The apparatus 2900 can be implemented with or without the air disinfection system 2910, and with or without an upper surface, depending on the requirements of the workspace. The apparatus 2900 presents a relatively compact yet very effective method that disinfects not only work surfaces, but also disinfects the air in the work area. The apparatus 2900 can be used in a classroom environment, for food handling or preparation, and for medical equipment assembly and inspection, for example.
The apparatus 3000 includes a container 3008 that is shaped and configured so that it can be attached to, encase, and uniformly disinfect a wide variety of designs. So that a user does not have to hold the apparatus 3000 in place, the apparatus includes some type of mechanism (e.g., magnets) allowing it to be attached to and readily detached from a doorknob or the like.
Conventional UV lamps cannot be safely held by a user and so cannot be easily used to disinfect objects like doorknobs, and in particular cannot be easily used to disinfect all sides/surfaces of objects like doorknobs.
The UV-FEL embodiments that are disclosed herein address the issues associated with conventional UV lamps. The disclosed UV-FELs do not contain hazardous materials such as chlorine gas and, due to the thermal management solutions described herein, remain cool enough so that they can be deployed and operated safely around people. Consequently, a broad range of new applications for UV-FELs, that are not feasible using conventional UV lamps, are now available. For example, UV-FELs disclosed herein can be deployed around people but can still be used for inactivating or killing bacteria and viruses (such as SARS-CoV-2) in the air and on surfaces in, for example, homes, offices, classrooms, and hospitals.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the present disclosure.
Embodiments according to the invention are thus described. While the present disclosure has been described in particular embodiments, the invention should not be construed as limited by such embodiments, but rather construed according to the following claims.
This application is a continuation of the application entitled “Ultraviolet Field-Emission Lamps and Their Applications,” by S. Coe-Sullivan et al., Ser. No. 17/195,438, filed Mar. 8, 2021, which is a continuation of the application entitled “Ultraviolet Field-Emission Lamps and Their Applications,” by S. Coe-Sullivan et al., Ser. No. 17/009,669, filed Sep. 1, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,978,290, which claims priority to the U.S. Provisional Application entitled “Synthesis and Use of Materials for Ultraviolet Field-Emission Lamps, and Ultraviolet Field-Emission Lamps and Their Applications,” by S. Coe-Sullivan et al., Ser. No. 63/071,810, filed Aug. 28, 2020, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. This application is related to the copending patent application entitled “Synthesis and Use of Materials for Ultraviolet Field-Emission Lamps,” by S. Coe-Sullivan et al., Ser. No. 17/009,621, filed Sep. 1, 2020, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63071810 | Aug 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17195438 | Mar 2021 | US |
| Child | 17825677 | US | |
| Parent | 17009669 | Sep 2020 | US |
| Child | 17195438 | US |
