Japan developed a sterilizable ultraviolet diamond light-emitting diode

Xinhuanet, Tokyo, February 16 (Reporter Lan Jianzhong) Japanese researchers have developed a diamond light-emitting diode that emits ultraviolet light, which can be used as a germicidal lamp. This diamond light-emitting diode is much safer than conventional germicidal lamps that use mercury.

The Japan Industrial Technology Research Institute recently announced that the diamond light-emitting diodes use a three-layer structure. The innermost and outermost layers are impure synthetic diamonds containing impurities, sandwiched by a layer of pure synthetic diamonds. The diamond light-emitting diode of this structure is capable of emitting ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 235 nm.

In order to verify the bactericidal effect of the new diamond light-emitting diodes, the researchers placed it in an environment where E. coli was distributed. As a result, it was found that the area covered with E. coli was completely irradiated by the ultraviolet light of the diamond light-emitting diode, and all of the E. coli there died.

Japanese traditional germicidal lamps contain mercury, which, once leaked, will pollute the environment. A diamond light-emitting diode that emits ultraviolet light can be used not only as a mercury light source but also as a germicidal light-emitting diode, and when combined with a fluorescent substance, it can also be used as a light source for visible light.