Welcome to the LEDs Magazine UV Tech Insights newsletter for Sept. 16, 2021. We generally have focused this newsletter more toward UV-C band technology and germicidal applications. Of course that lean has been influenced by the pandemic. But there are many compelling applications for UV-B and UV-A technology as well.

One good example of non-germicidal UV is in horticultural lighting. As we have covered in our HortiCann Light + Tech Conference each of the past five years, UV can enhance plant yield. Ironically, the destructive impact of longer-wavelength UV delivers a counterintuitive result. The radiation causes plants to generate essentially a sunscreen comprised of secondary metabolites that add value to the crop yield.

HortiCann 2021 is just two weeks away. We will learn more this year about UV and plant response. Moreover, the AgTech element of the show will be more significant than ever. Please join us virtually.

Meanwhile, we also keep learning more about UV-C radiation and how to properly apply it. Indeed, we have had feature articles in each of our last two magazine issues on properly planning for distribution and dosage that effectively delivers the germicidal impact. In our newsletter last month, I mentioned the article by Anne Bay of Viso Systems that described how to leverage visible-light modeling software with UV-C. That article was primarily focused on surface disinfection.

In our September issue, meanwhile, Ian Ashdown of SunTracker Technologies explored the complex topic of air disinfection. The math in that article is quite complex but a necessary evil for air disinfection. The article clearly defines the problem of developing safe and effective air-quality systems. It’s a must read for anyone working in the UV-C area.

Also I’d note that the entire September issue is pretty good reading. Subscribers can get the cover-to-cover experience on our digital magazine platform.

We have announced the winners of our LEDs Magazine Sapphire Awards since the last edition of this newsletter. The winning entries were outstanding across the board. Here I will specifically mention a few of the winners with ties to the UV space. Igor won both the Sapphire Award for UV LEDs and Systems, and company co-founder Dwight Stewart won the Sapphire Illumineer of the Year award. That recognition was tied to the COVID-19 driven development of the Nexos Intelligent Disinfection system with comprehensive safeguards for effective germicidal usage. And in a related category, Aleddra took Sapphire in the Visible Light Disinfection Technology category.

You will find many more stories of interest in the body of today’s newsletter. And always feel free to contact me to discuss content we post or to pitch a contributed article.

- Maury Wright, (858) 208-9442, [email protected]