Scientists Just Found a Super Cool Way to Kill Coronavirus Using LED Lights
You know how we’ve all been obsessing over hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes for the past few years? Well, researchers at Tel Aviv University just figured out something pretty amazing – they can actually zap coronavirus dead using special LED lights. And the best part? It works crazy fast and doesn’t cost a fortune.
Wait, LED Lights Can Kill Viruses?
I know it sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s totally real! Professor Hadas Mamane and her team proved that ultraviolet LED lights can wipe out over 99.9% of coronavirus in less than 30 seconds. We’re talking about the same basic technology that’s in your phone’s flashlight, just tweaked to emit UV light instead of regular light.
The whole thing started because, let’s face it, our current disinfection methods are kind of a pain. Think about it – to properly disinfect a bus or airplane, someone has to go in there with chemical sprays, wait for them to work, then clean everything up. It takes forever and costs a ton of money.
The Game-Changing Discovery
Here’s where it gets really interesting. The researchers tested different types of UV light to see which worked best, and they found that 285-nanometer wavelength light was almost as effective as the more expensive 265-nanometer version. Why does this matter? Because the 285nm LED bulbs are way cheaper and much easier to find.
Professor Mamane put it perfectly: “We discovered that it is quite simple to kill the coronavirus using LED bulbs that radiate ultraviolet light. We killed the viruses using cheaper and more readily available LED bulbs, which consume little energy and don’t contain mercury like regular bulbs.”
So What Does This Mean for Us?
Picture this: instead of having cleaning crews constantly spraying down every surface, we could have UV-LED systems built right into air conditioners and ventilation systems. The air gets automatically sterilized as it circulates through buildings. No chemicals, no waiting time, no human labor – just clean air flowing through your office, school, or favorite restaurant.
These LED systems could potentially be installed in:
- Air conditioning units
- Subway cars and buses
- Airport terminals
- Hospital ventilation systems
- Office buildings
- Basically anywhere people gather indoors
But Hold Up – Don’t Try This at Home
Before you start shopping for UV bulbs on Amazon, the researchers have a very important warning: DO NOT try to use UV lights to disinfect your house yourself. Direct exposure to UV light can seriously damage your skin and eyes. These systems need to be professionally designed so that people aren’t directly exposed to the light.
Think of it like an X-ray machine – super useful when used properly by professionals, but definitely not something you want to mess around with in your living room.
What’s Next?
The team is already working on their next experiments, testing how these UV-LED systems work on different surfaces and in water systems. Professor Mamane thinks this technology could be available for commercial use pretty soon, which is exciting news for anyone who’s tired of living in a world where everything needs to be constantly sanitized.
The Bottom Line
This research, published in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, could be a total game-changer for how we think about keeping public spaces clean and safe. Instead of relying on endless chemical spraying and manual cleaning, we might soon have invisible UV guardians built right into our buildings, quietly zapping germs out of existence.
It’s one of those discoveries that makes you think, “Why didn’t we think of this sooner?” But hey, better late than never, right? The future of germ-free public spaces might be brighter – and more UV-filled – than we ever imagined.
The research was conducted in collaboration with experts from Oranim College and Sheba Medical Center, and you can read the full study on the journal’s website if you’re into that level of scientific detail.
The research paper is available at the journal’s web site here.
