LED UV-C prototype for disinfection purposes for sustainability of public transport system in unclear epidemiological conditions

The aim of this paper is to show the way – how to develop LED UV-C prototype of disinfection devices with safety solution to user, using UV-C light emitting diode for different small surfaces disinfection in public transport system. In order to achieve the aim of the paper, the prototype for disinfecting small surfaces in public transport using UV-C spectrum irradiation have been developed. The designs of prototype cases or parts thereof are created in Autodesk Fusion 360, while the designs of the printed electronic plates have been developed in the program Autodesk Eagle. The ranges of irradiation sources used in the prototypes were tested on a spectrometer at Laboratory of High-Resolution Spectroscopy and Light Source Technology, Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, University of Latvia, while the efficiency of disinfection was determined in the Water Research and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Riga Technical University. Two different bacterial cultures were used for microbiology tests: E.coli and S.aureus. In order for UV irradiation not to affect passengers of public transport, the prototypes were equipped with safety systems that prevent exposure of humans to UV-C irradiation. In order to determine the energy efficiency of equipment, only power measurements have been made before the supply and control elements of prototypes over a single cycle and power measurements on irradiation sources over a single cycle. UV-C irradiation is effective disinfection method and we should continue to search for ways to implement it even more, meanwhile looking for ways to protect living things from unwanted harm via irradiation.