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About UVC Light.

Far-UVC and traditional UVC cleans the air exposed to the light; dramatically increasing air health in our shared spaces.

Utilizing UV hospital room disinfection technology for enhanced healthcare safety and pathogen control.

About UVC Light.

Far-UVC and traditional UVC cleans the air exposed to the light; dramatically increasing air health in our shared spaces.

An Intro to

UVC & Far-UVC Light

Ultraviolet (UV) light ranges between 400-100nm in wavelength. While most people are familiar with UVA and UVB due to their association with the sun’s rays, UVC has rapidly grown in awareness since the pandemic due to its incredible ability to inactivate pathogens rapidly and effectively.

UV light damages the structure of DNA that can, at high enough levels, stop cells, bacteria, and viruses from reproducing.
 

UVC is most commonly used commercially for food and water sterilization, as well as sterilization of air, tools, and equipment for hospitals.

Commercial UVC can be broken down into traditional UVC (Low Pressure Mercury and LEDs emitting 230-280nm) and Far-UVC (Krypton Chlorine excimer emitting 222nm). While both UVC and Far-UVC are effective against gram negative, gram positive, and antibiotic resistant bacteria, as well as both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, they differ in the risk to humans. Traditional UVC penetrates into skin and causes skin irritations, limiting its use to unoccupied rooms, contained situations, or upper room germicidal systems where people are not directly exposed to it. Far-UVC has a shorter penetration depth, allowing for wider use.

Commercial UVC can be broken down into traditional UVC and Far UVC.
Far UVC is safe for human eyes and skin.

Far-UVC Light

Safety

The safety of UV light on skin is dependent on the wavelength and light intensity. The more UV light you receive, the greater the risk of skin damage. But this risk is proportional to the wavelength of the UV light as well. The shorter the wavelength, the safer for human skin. This is because shorter wavelengths do not travel through skin as well as long wavelengths.

Far-UVC, the shortest wavelength we’ve discussed, is unable to penetrate the tear layer of our eyes or the dead skin layer, also called the Stratum Corneum. Far-UVC is scattered or absorbed by these peripheral layers and shield the living tissue below, rendering it safe for human eyes and skin. This difference allows for greater ability to clean occupied spaces.

Today, most UV cleaning systems are contained in air ducts, within boxes, used only in unoccupied spaces, or are shined at ceilings so that the higher, cheaper to produce wavelengths can be used. Small spaces such as bathrooms and elevators are difficult to clean due to lack of airflow, renewing pathogen sources, and concerning surface contamination. Human safe Far-UVC is the ideal solution for these difficult, insufficiently ventilated, high traffic spaces.

Far UVC targets harmful pathogens while posing minimal risk to human health.

Far-UVC Light

Effectiveness

Unlike traditional cleaners which depend on causing oxidative stress or damaging membranes leaving them ineffective against some viruses and spores, UV light targets the DNA or RNA of cells and viruses to provide a cleaning effect. Because of this, UV light is effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi, protists, algae, and spores. With UV light, pathogens can be reduced by 99.9% repeatedly in a time and cost effective manner [2].

Example of Far-UVC on Microbes

Surviving Fraction
The graph illustrates the killing power of Far-UVC light against pathogens.
Dose (Unit: mJ/cm²) - [1]

Why We Need

Far-UVC Light

Far-UVC light is able to kill bacteria, viruses, molds, and spores in the same fashion as traditional UVGI. Far-UVC and traditional UVC cleans all the air exposed to the light, dramatically increasing the air cleanliness of our shared spaces. The greatest advantage of Far-UVC is the ability to shine its light downwards in occupied rooms safely.

Numerous research studies show Far-UVC is as effective at inactivating infectious contaminants as traditional UVC, without the health risk to skin and eyes. By introducing Visium™ to any existing mitigation process, indoor air can be cleaned more rapidly and efficiently without any harm to the occupants.

Citations

1) Far UVC Efficacy Example – Eadie, E., Hiwar, W., Fletcher, L. et al. Far-UVC (222 nm) efficiently inactivates an airborne pathogen in a room-sized chamber. Sci Rep 12, 4373 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08462-
2) Far UVC Efficacy and Safety- Hessling, M., Haag, R., Sieber, N., and Vatter, P. (2021). The impact of far-UVC radiation (200-230 nm) on pathogens, cells, skin, and eyes – a collection and analysis of a hundred years of data. GMS hygiene and infection control, 16, Doc07. https://doi.org/10.3205/dgkh000378
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The icon symbolizes the cutting-edge nature of Far UVC technology, which effectively neutralize airborne pathogens while remaining safe for human exposure.

Applications

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Technology

Far UVC technology has gained significant attention and validation through extensive scientific research and studies.

Research

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(321) 299-0100
customerservice@litthinking.com

3259 Progress Drive,
Orlando, Florida. 32826
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*Efficacy based on independent laboratory testing. Learn more about safety and efficacy here. 

All references to sanitization or sanitize are referring generally to bioburden reduction and are not intended to refer to any specific definition of the term as may be used for other purposes by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The UV disinfection technology in Lit Thinking™ products is an EPA pesticide device intended for bioburden reduction in the air and on surfaces, not a replacement for physical cleaning. Lit Thinking™ products are not medical devices and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent disease, nor have they been evaluated or cleared by the FDA. 

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Contact Us

(321) 299-0100
customerservice@litthinking.com

3259 Progress Drive,
Orlando, Florida. 32826

Dr. Shashwat Rathkanthiwar

Director, MOCVD Research
Dr. Shashwat Rathkanthiwar is a seasoned material scientist and prolific researcher with over a decade of expertise in III-nitride semiconductors. His groundbreaking approach integrates semiconductor materials science, physics and electronics, envisioning revolutionary advancements in electronic, optical, quantum, and critical device technologies. Dr. Rathkanthiwar will spearhead the research on Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) of ultrawide bandgap nitride semiconductors, enabling far-ultraviolet optoelectronics and kV-class power electronics. 
 
Dr. Rathkanthiwar earned his undergraduate degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur, India, shifting gears to Nano Science and Engineering for his doctorate at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, where his thesis focused on III-nitride ultraviolet photodetectors. His postdoctoral tenure at North Carolina State University’s WideBandgaps Laboratory honed his expertise in epitaxially grown nitride semiconductors on native substrates, addressing doping, point defect management, and strain relaxation. 
 
With 31 journal publications, 80 international conference presentations, 1 patent, and over 15 invited talks, Dr. Rathkanthiwar’s contributions have garnered Editor’s Pick selections in Applied Physics Letters, alongside numerous awards and recognitions for research excellence, including Best Oral and Poster Presentations. Dr. Rathkanthiwar serves as an independent reviewer for 14 major journals and also chairs technical sessions at esteemed conferences such as American Conference on Crystal Growth and Epitaxy, Compound Semiconductor Week, Electronic Materials Conference, and Materials Research Society Meeting.

Braden C.

UCF Intern

My experience at Lit Thinking has been very impactful towards my growth as an engineer. I started working here in the middle stage of the product development process and we now have a fully developed product that’s actively on the market. I have been able to work directly with the Director of Engineering, which has allowed me to understand what it means to be an engineer. As interns we get access to a broad range of engineering applications including mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing.

Juan C.

UCF Intern

My experience as an intern at Lit Thinking™ has been outstanding. There has been an immense improvement in my leadership, hands-on, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Lit Thinking™ has helped me enhance my professional career as a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Central Florida by working through the Engineering design process to develop Visium 1™

Juan

“My experience as an intern at Lit Thinking™ has been outstanding. There has been an immense improvement in my leadership, hands-on, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Lit Thinking™ has helped me enhance my professional career as a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Central Florida by working through the Engineering design process to assist with developing Visium™.”

Juan C.
University of Central Florida

Braden

“My experience at Lit Thinking™ has been very impactful towards my growth as an engineer. I started working here in the middle stage of the product development process and we now have a fully developed product that’s actively on the market. I have been able to work directly with the Director of Engineering, which has allowed me to understand what it means to be an engineer. As interns we get access to a broad range of engineering applications including mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing.”

Braden C.
University of Central Florida

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Josh Oelker

Director, Business Development - Commercial

Josh Oelker joins the Lit Thinking team as an accomplished sales and business development leader with over 15 years’ experience that includes nearly a decade of invaluable involvement in Germicidal Ultraviolet (GUV) solutions for a multitude of applications. His background involves building relationships and fostering revenue within many areas, such as Commercial buildings, HVAC, Healthcare, Education and Food processing, as well as with many channels, segments, and partnerships. In addition, Josh has worked with different types of GUV technologies, including Far UV, LED UV, Xenon pulse and PCO. 

Josh started his career in GUV at Steril-Aire, where he rose from a Regional Sales Manager to a National Sales Manager, responsible for the overall revenue of a 30-year-old UVC/IAQ company. During his time there, he created, developed and launched an IoT UVC Sensor and monitoring platform with a cloud-based dashboard that allows continual awareness and efficacy. He also co-authored white papers on UVGI efficacy for disinfection and UVC for Energy Savings/Sustainability. 

In his most recent role as Director of Business Development- HVAC at PURO, Josh established an HVAC distribution network for new and future products from scratch. He collaborated on expanding the company’s product portfolio of UVC HVAC options and gained invaluable experience with other UVC and IAQ technologies. 

Josh’s passion for GUV has led him to explore the diverse benefits of UV disinfection in partnership with the USDA, the University of Minnesota and international biosecurity researchers. As an Associate ASHRAE member and an industry-expert, Josh has given numerous PDH accredited presentations on the efficacy and application of GUV for safer, healthier and more efficient buildings. 

Wendy Walling

Director, Business Development - Healthcare

Wendy Walling joins the Lit Thinking team as a seasoned sales, marketing and business development professional with over 20 years’ experience that includes an invaluable background in Germicidal Ultraviolet (GUV) technologies for Healthcare applications. Her diverse background includes the development and launch of antimicrobial textiles under the trademark license of the Clorox Professional Products Group and a 12-year career as a Marketing and Communications leader with Cox Target Media, a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises.

 

In her most recent role as Global Director of Marketing at Intellego Technologies AB, Sweden, Wendy designed and built from the ground-up the company’s primary brand and business unit, UVC Dosimeters. She successfully expanded the company’s product portfolio of photochromic dose indicators for measurement of ultraviolet energy for 254 nm, 260-280 nm and 222 nm, and directly managed the company’s private-label business for customers in the US, Korea, Greece, South Africa, Colombia, Peru and the UK. In addition to developing UV auditing protocols for the largest healthcare system in the US, Wendy served as the host of Intellego’s thought-leadership video and podcast series, Making the Invisible VISIBLE, available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

 

Wendy’s passion for the promotion and adoption of GUV technologies has garnered the attention and respect from peers at the International Ultraviolet Association where she is an active member of its Healthcare Task Force and GUV working groups. She has served as a member of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, a Division of ISSA and a contributor to the 2022 GBAC Validation & Auditing Technology Guide.