Increasing Use of UV LEDs

In recent years, as the technology of ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diodes (LEDs) has improved, the use of UV LEDs has significantly increased.  An extensive search of the Internet has found references to UV LEDs used in the following applications:

Back light

Chemical synthesis

Cosmetics sterilization

Counterfeit money detection

Curing of coatings, inks, and adhesives

Disinfection and purification

Forensic applications

Instrumental chemical analysis

Medical therapies

Optical sensing

Plant growth

However, also found are stated problems that are hindering even further UV LED uses.    Problems stated include:

Costs

Insufficient photo-initiators in the right UV ranges

Lack of diodes generating needed wavelengths

Lack of heat

Optics

Oxygen inhibition

Slow curing rates compared to mercury lamps

Lack of standardization guidelines

Suitable substrates

Thermal management

The 2013 market for UV LED products is estimated to be in the range of $40 to $50 million. This estimate is provided by producers of market research reports, which can be purchased.  The same reports estimate the sales compound annual growth rates (CAGR) of these products to be in the 30 to 43% range over the period 2013 to 2018.   So, if in 2013 sales is $45 million and the CAGR is 36.5%, in 2018, UV LED products will have sales of about $213 million.

On the basis of the above referenced Internet searching, it seems to me that two critical technologies where development work is still going on and where successes are crucial to increasing use of UV LEDs are:

1.  Enhancing the chemistries that are triggered by the UV, e.g. better photo-initiators; and

2.  More efficient and effective light emitting diodes (LEDs).

Some chemical companies doing photo-initiator, and related research, are: Bayer Material Science; DSM; Arkema; BASF; Cytec; Mitsui; and Evonik.

And some companies doing R&D to enhance UV LEDs are: Nitride Semiconductor; Semileds; Nichia; Seoul Semiconductor; and Sensor Electronic Technology

Although the current market percentage for UV LED products is relatively small compared to products using non-LED generated UV, this parentage is likely to significantly increase in future years due to the many advantages that generating UV radiation using LEDs offer.  Some advantages identified during Internet searching include:

Concentrated radiation

Longer life times compared to mercury lamps

Faster warm-up and cool-down times

Narrower power distribution

Lower heat generation compared to mercury lamps

Lower energy use compared to mercury lamps

Improved environmental affects, e.g. no mercury vapor, ozone,
and organic vapors

Consistent, predictable radiation output over time

Smaller wavelength generation range

More control over UV radiation generation compared to mercury lamps

Smaller, more compact associated equipment leading to more efficient processing
Lower maintenance compared to mercury lamps