The power of ultraviolet (UVC) light in the 280 nm to 100 nm range to effectively inactivate microbes is being UVC light can sterilize thousands of protective masks each day, rendering them safe for reuse. Source: Rensselaer Polytechnic Instituteexploited by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute scientists to sterilize personal protection equipment (PPE) needed by those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thousands of face masks can be disinfected daily to help fill the gap in PPE supplies plaguing hospitals.

Quickly assembled at the request of beleaguered hospital workers facing supply shortfalls at New York City facilities, the disinfection device is equipped with two UVC lamp fixtures attached vertically at opposing ends of an 8 ft² enclosure. A motorized conveyor pulls used masks through the enclosure and between the bulbs. The speed of the motor can be controlled to select the desired radiation dose applied to both sides of the masks.

The efficacy of this system, which still requires approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will be tested on masks that have been infected with the coronavirus. The data gleaned will help the designers adjust the speed of the motorized belt for better results.