Microlink Devices has announced that the Project LUSS (LED based Ultra-Violet exposure for Safe Surfaces) Consortium has been awarded an Innovate UK Grant to develop an economical solution to combat COVID-19 infection in public spaces, with the added ability to also disinfect surfaces of other viruses and bacteria.

Microlink Devices, Wideblue and CSA Catapult consortium awarded Innovate UK grant to develop LED-based autonomous surface disinfection system for hospitals

MicroLink Devices as lead industrial partner, with support from WideBlue and the Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult (CSA Catapult) will develop an automatically self-cleaning door panel, exploiting specific UV light, that will kill viruses/bacteria and prevent the spread of infection. The door panel will be disinfected automatically between uses, reducing the need for frequent manual cleaning and reducing the transmission of viruses/bacteria.

Steve Whitby, director of Microlink Devices said: “We are delighted that Project LUSS has been awarded an Innovate UK grant. The consortium is excited to develop a novel COVID-19 system which will aid in the reduction of transmission in public spaces through this innovative technology. The consortium is well placed to developed and rapidly take the technology towards commercial exploitation and deployment.”

Amar Abid-Ali, chief commercial officer at CSA Catapult said: “We are excited to take part in this innovative and important project to aid public health solutions for COVID-19. As a not-for-profit RTO, the CSA Catapult's mission is to accelerate the development and commercialisation of novel applications using compound semiconductors (CS). The LUSS project is a great example of compound semiconductor technology in action.”