ams OSRAM Doubles UV-C LED Efficiency

Battling germs with UV-C radiation: disinfection with light is gaining global importance — in hospitals, offices, kitchens, and bathrooms. Even tap water can be disinfected using UV-C radiation. ams OSRAM has now achieved a technological breakthrough in this field within the scope of the evaluation of a new UV-C LED. The LED delivers over 10 percent efficiency at 200 milliwatts power, a wavelength of 265 nanometers, and a lifespan exceeding 20,000 hours. With these specifications, it can replace conventional mercury discharge lamps in the future. The LED’s efficiency has been validated by Germany’s National Metrology Institute Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB).

Eliminating pathogens on surfaces, in liquids, or in the air is crucial for safeguarding human health and the environment — in everyday life and across various industries. Residue-free disinfection using energy-rich UV-C radiation is playing an increasingly important role in this context.

Alongside UV-C LEDs, radiation sources primarily include low-pressure and medium-pressure discharge lamps. Due to their mercury content, these lamps pose health and environmental risks during production, operation, and disposal. The demand for more sustainable alternatives, such as UV-C LEDs, is therefore steadily increasing. So far, however, their efficiency has not yet matched traditional technology to fully compete with established mercury vapor lamps across all applications.