UV Sanitizer: How to Build One and Measure Its Efficacy

摘要

With all the focus on the coronavirus associated with COVID-19, there has been an upsurge in demand for a variety of germ-related products - from masks, goggles, gloves, and hand sanitizer, to wipes and air purifiers. One item that suddenly popped up on my Amazon feed was ultra-violet (UV) light sterilizers/sanitizers. These units - some consisting of little more than a single, low-power UV LED or UV bulb in a plastic box - sell for up to hundreds of dollars. Moreover, the claims made by manufacturers - especially regarding anti-viral capabilities - are dubious at best. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to make an affordable UV sanitizer, actually measure its efficacy, and share the design with readers. Hence, this article. Bacteria (like the cells in your body) contain genetic information coded in DNA and RNA, which are essential for life. Recall the central dogma of biology: that DNA codes for RNA, which codes for proteins. Interrupt that process at any point and a cell dies. Viruses (which are not living entities) nonetheless contain either DNA or RNA. Viruses rely on hijacking the synthesis machinery in cells to replicate.