Design, Realization, and Test of Ultraviolet-C LED Arrays Suitable for Long-Lasting Irradiation of Biological Samples
Sarah Bollanti,
Paolo Di Lazzaro,
Francesco Flora,
Gian Piero Gallerano,
Luca Mezi,
Daniele Murra,
Massimo Aquilini
Affiliations
Sarah Bollanti
ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security Department, Frascati Research Center, Via E. Fermi 45, 00044 Frascati, Italy
Paolo Di Lazzaro
ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security Department, Frascati Research Center, Via E. Fermi 45, 00044 Frascati, Italy
Francesco Flora
ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security Department, Frascati Research Center, Via E. Fermi 45, 00044 Frascati, Italy
Gian Piero Gallerano
ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security Department, Frascati Research Center, Via E. Fermi 45, 00044 Frascati, Italy
Luca Mezi
ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security Department, Frascati Research Center, Via E. Fermi 45, 00044 Frascati, Italy
Daniele Murra
ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security Department, Frascati Research Center, Via E. Fermi 45, 00044 Frascati, Italy
Massimo Aquilini
ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security Department, Frascati Research Center, Via E. Fermi 45, 00044 Frascati, Italy
We present the electrical and optical design, assembling, and thorough experimental characterization of two compact arrays of short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) suitable for near-field irradiation. Through a combination of technical expedients, we have achieved effective thermal management such that long-lasting irradiations are possible without appreciable deterioration of UV-C emission. We successfully used these compact UV-C LED arrays for long lasting irradiation tests aimed at generating the biosynthesis of defensive metabolites that enhance the resistance of plants and fruits to pathogen attacks. Finally, we comment on the possibility of implementing these compact UV-C sources on robotic systems to make an automated device suitable to reduce pesticide use in agricultural crops.
