Ready for Mass-production
LG Innotek announced on November 27 that it developed the world’s first germicidal UV-C LED with an output of 100 mW and mass production is about to start. At present, the maximum output of such products is 70 mW.
The UV-C LED developed by LG Innotek is a semiconductor light source designed to emit ultraviolet rays with a wavelength of 200 nm to 280 nm. This product is superior to existing UV LEDs in various aspects. For example, the size of the former is approximately 8% of that of the latter when the same output is assumed. In addition, the former has a lifespan of up to 40,000 hours.
It requires no chemical treatment and, as such, is more suitable for use in home appliances such as water purifiers and air cleaners. Furthermore, the product is expected to be usable in water treatment equipment and the air-conditioning systems of buildings and automobiles.
“The output of existing products is too low to sterilize water and air with high flow rates,” the company explained, adding, “However, the single UV-C LED with an output of 100 mW is capable of emitting highly germicidal ultraviolet rays for at least 10,000 hours and the sterilization effect can be significantly improved.”
According to market research firm LEDinside, the global UV LED market is likely to grow from US$166 million to US$526 million between last year and 2020 and the UV-C LED segment is likely to grow from US$28 million to US$244 million during the same period.