Grants and Contributions:

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Title:
UV-LED Disinfection: A New Opportunity for BlueLight Analytics
Agreement Number:
EGP
Agreement Value:
$25,000.00
Agreement Date:
Sep 20, 2017 -
Organization:
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Location:
Nova Scotia, CA
Reference Number:
GC-2017-Q2-04275
Agreement Type:
Grant
Report Type:
Grants and Contributions
Additional Information:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

Recipient's Legal Name:
Gagnon, Graham (Dalhousie University)
Program:
Engage Grants for Universities
Program Purpose:

As a manufacturer of technology for the dental industry, BlueLight Analytics (BlueLight) is interested inx000D
improving infection control protocols for dental light curing units (LCUs) and recognizes the potential forx000D
ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV-LED) technology to be disruptive in its industry. An infection controlx000D
strategy for LCUs would complement BlueLight's current products and services, which are centered onx000D
quantifying the clinical performance of curing lights. Current infection control strategies can damage LCUs andx000D
compromise light output. If light output is compromised, dental resins may be undercured.x000D
Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection could overcome challenges with current infection control strategies. UV-LEDx000D
technologies can provide the same (or superior) disinfection as traditional UV while using less energy andx000D
requiring no mercury, which makes them an environmentally sustainable alternative for infection control.x000D
For the purposes of this 6-month research project, the team, consisting of one undergraduate student, onex000D
Master's student, one PhD student and one post-doctoral fellow, will develop a UV-LED-based disinfectionx000D
protocol for LCUs. Research tasks will include: (a) Determining appropriate conditions for UV-LEDx000D
disinfection of clinical surfaces; (b) Comparing UV-LED disinfection to current industry-standard infectionx000D
control strategies and (c) Assessing impact of UV-LED disinfection on LCU light output.x000D
Having tools that can assist healthcare providers maintain the proper operation and ensure sterility of theirx000D
equipment is critical. In a broader context, UV-LED is widely used as a Cleantech-based disinfectant andx000D
UV-LED disinfection technologies are viewed as disruptive technologies across a broad range of industries.x000D
Use of UV-LED technology will open a new market for BlueLight to increase sales opportunities. Thus, thex000D
knowledge gained from this project can help both Dr. Gagnon's lab and BlueLight take on other challenges inx000D
the Cleantech space.