Ams Osram has developed a new UV-C LED that delivers over 10 percent efficiency at 200 milliwatts power, a wavelength of 265 nanometers, and a lifespan exceeding 20,000 hours. Achieving this technological breakthrough will enable the UV-C LED to replace conventional mercury discharge lamps in the future, the company said, as light-based disinfection gains importance in a range of environments including hospitals, offices, kitchens, and bathrooms.

(Source: ams Osram)

Eliminating pathogens on surfaces, in liquids, or in the air is crucial for human health and residue-free disinfection using energy-rich UV-C radiation plays an increasingly important role, ams Osram said. UV-C LEDs are environmentally friendly and do not contain mercury, and achieve purification without the use of chemicals. In addition, with their small footprint and DC operating feature, they allow for flexible compact designs.

Compared to mercury lamps, UV-C LEDs are much more robust as they do not contain glass components. They also provide full optical output instantly when turned on and cease immediately when switched off, so that cycling at high frequency is possible without pre-heating, the company said.

The UV-C LED achieved wall-plug efficiency (WPE) exceeding 10 percent, nearly doubling the previous LEDs’ WPE of approximately 5.3 percent, with all other conditions remaining unchanged. The peak value is validated by Germany’s National Metrology Institute Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), confirming a WPE of 10.2 percent.

Ams Osram also successfully demonstrated that samples tested have a lifespan as long as high-power LEDs currently available on the market. The new UV-C LEDs are expected to be available from late 2026 and will complement the company’s existing products for advanced UV-C lighting solutions.

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