Characterization and Optimization of a Novel UV‑C LED Aerodynamic Device for Airborne Microbe Viability Abatement

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Aerobiology
• Public health engineering

Background:

• COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for effective indoor air disinfection.
• Existing methods for airborne pathogen control require improvement in efficiency and affordability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and optimize a novel air disinfection device combining aerodynamic vortex and UV-C LEDs.
• To establish a framework using designed experiments for optimizing bioaerosol removal and inactivation efficiency.

Main Methods:

• A laboratory model simulating bioaerosol transmission was created.
• Nonpathogenic *E. coli* (BL21-DE3) was used to model airborne bacteria.
• Designed experiments, including D-optimal designs, were employed to optimize five variables.

Main Results:

• The study identified optimal working conditions for maximizing the device's bioaerosol inactivation efficiency.
• Response surface methodology was used to map efficiency based on experimental variables.
• The device demonstrated potential for effective airborne pathogen control.

Conclusions:

• The developed framework and optimized device offer a promising solution for indoor air disinfection.
• Further exploitation in real-world settings is supported by the identified optimal operating parameters.
• This research contributes to mitigating the spread of airborne infectious diseases.