AIXTRON has announced it has become a partner in the “GraFunkL” research project for the use of novel graphene-enhanced UVC LEDs, which, among other things, are to be used against multi-resistant hospital pathogens.
GraFunkL stands for “Graphene as a functional layer in UVC LEDs”. Additional partners in the project are the Materials for Electrical Engineering department headed by Prof. Dr. Gerd Bacher (University of Duisburg-Essen, UDE), Aachen-based Protemics GmbH, which specializes in terahertz measurement technology, and Regensburg-based ams-OSRAM International GmbH, a pioneer in lighting and sensor technologies. The project will be funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) with EUR 2.1 million over the next three years.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been used to combat multi-resistant germs for many years. When UV rays with a specific wavelength (265 to 286 nanometers) hit viruses or bacteria, they destroy the chemical bonds – including the DNA of the pathogens.
Conventional methods are based on mercury vapor lamps. Semiconductor-based UV radiation sources are not only more durable, but also free of toxic mercury. In addition, they are characterized by their small size and low weight, which is why they are also very well suited for mobile use.
“What is innovative about the project is the direct deposition of graphene on the UVC LED wafer. These new photonic components are suitable for a range of applications, including the decontamination of microbially contaminated indoor air, wastewater or surfaces,” explains Prof. Dr. Michael Heuken, VP Advanced Technologies at AIXTRON.
The use of graphene improves both energy efficiency and light output. A layer of graphene with high electrical conductivity and high optical transparency is integrated into the UVC LEDs, increasing the efficiency of the light-emitting diodes.
Another key objective of the GraFunkL project is to develop a platform that makes it possible to apply graphene over a large area – i.e. with wafers up to 150 millimeters in diameter. This, in turn, should be integrated into an industrial production line for UVC LEDs. The production of larger quantities, in combination with the improved efficiency of the novel UVC LEDs, forms the basis for a greater use and dissemination of this technology – for example in the medical field. In addition, the project will also provide insights into graphene growth on non-metallic substrates.
