Up-conversion luminescent coatings/materials for antimicrobial applications
AssigneeThe Penn State Research Foundation
InventorDouglas E. Wolfe
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Abstract
The present invention provides continuous, non-hazardous sterilization and anti-microorganism protection by the generation of interactive, emission responsive surfaces, coatings, and coating systems.
Claims20
A system adapted to convert impinging wavelengths of radiation to wavelength energies sufficient for use in antimicrobial applications, the system comprising:
- a material formulation having an up-conversion constituent comprising a combination of ZrO2 and Eu2O3;
- and
- an ultraviolet emission response from up-conversion of radiation from a radiation source, the emission response having wavelengths in a range from 200-450 nm to kill bacteria and viruses.
A method for providing an antimicrobial response from a coating or surface using the impinging radiation comprising:
- providing a host material with an up-converting constituent comprising a combination of ZrO2, Eu2O3, and Yb2O3;
- vapor depositing the host material onto a surface;
- up-converting radiation impinging on the host material to higher energy radiation having a range generally from 200-450 nm;
- and
- emitting the radiation as an antimicrobial emission response to kill microorganisms on or near the host material.
A system for converting impinging wavelengths of radiation to wavelength energies sufficient for antimicrobial applications, the system comprising:
- a host material comprising a combination of an activator of Eu2O3 and an up-converting constituent of ZrO2;
- a vapor deposition of the host material for depositing onto a surface;
- radiation impinging the host material on the surface;
- an ultraviolet emission response having a range generally from 200-450 nm from up-conversion of the radiation impinging the host material on the surface;
- wherein the ultraviolet emission response is configured to kill bacteria on or near the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.