23 February 2017

LG Innotek unveils first 70mW UV-C LED

Seoul-based LG Innotek (a subsidiary of South Korean electronics company LG Group) has developed what it claims is the first 70mw UV-C LED for sterilization applications (1.5 times higher than competing 45mW modules).

UV-C LEDs produce short-wavelength ultraviolet light in the range 200–280nm and can prevent the proliferation of bacteria by destroying their DNA, allowing them to be used for sterilization purposes. LG Innotek's new UV-C LED emits at 280nm.

Until now, UV-C LEDs have mainly been applied in small sanitary products because their low optical output power led to low sterilization performance. The power of LEDs for toothbrush sterilizers is 1mW and that for sterilizing the water tanks of humidifiers is 2mW.

Using its proprietary LED vertical chip technology, LG Innotek has improved UV-C LED optical power to 70mW. While the new product measures just 6mm in both length and width, its sterilization performance is claimed to be the world's best.

LG Innotek says that it has overcome the UV output limit by using specialized LED chip technology. The epitaxial structure design and vertical chip technology for maximizing light extraction have boosted output, as well as ensuring reliability in quality by effectively expelling heat, it is claimed.

As the new UV-C LED is compact and has high sterilization performance, it can be applied to various fields such as water purifiers and air purifiers, since it allows the sterilization of flowing water and air. It can also be used in hardening equipment in the manufacturing industry. As the UV output is strong, the performance of curing devices can be enhanced.

LG Innotek says that manufacturers of water purification, cleaning and curing devices can benefit from its stable supply of UV-C LEDs optimized for their respective applications, since the firm is equipped with a consistent production system that produces epitaxial wafers, chips, packages and modules.

According to market research firm Yole Developpement, the UV LED market is forecast to grow from $130m in 2015 to $270m in 2017.

Along with its 280nm UV-C LED, LG Innotek has a lineup of LEDs ranging from 365nm, 385nm, 395nm and 405nm UV-A LEDs for general industrial purposes to 305nm UV-B LEDs for bio and medical purposes.

Tags: LG Innotek UV LEDs

Visit: www.lginnotek.com