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UVe: Clean With the Power of Light
UVe (pronounced YOO-vee) is a self-driving robot that uses ultraviolet light to disinfect surfaces around the home, from kitchen counters to nursery floors.
The machine aims to replace chemical disinfectants—which have been linked to health problems like asthma and reproductive issues—with a safe, sustainable 100% electronic alternative. UV disinfection is an established solution in highly-sensitive industrial applications, from water treatment to HVAC systems, and eliminates germs of all sizes, from protozoa to bacteria to viruses.
Design Team
Jung-Ya Hsieh - Principal
UVe's disinfectant lamp relies on a special, high-energy form of ultraviolet light, different from the near-visible wavelengths used in blacklights. This light, known as UV-C, breaks the molecular bonds that hold bacterial DNA together. By eliminating (or at least reducing) the need for chemical disinfectants at home, the team hopes to curb health problems caused by indoor air contamination, as well as the risk of cultivating disinfectant-resistant superbugs caused by high concentrations of chemical runoff.
UVe is smaller than other household cleaning robots – only about the size of a stack of CDs – and will work on any hard surface, from tile to wood to granite, or even children's foam puzzle mats. The project is currently live on Kickstarter.
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The problem with this is that UV also damages varnishes and fades colors. A bit of rubbing alcohol sprayed on a microfiber cloth would do the trick. Or, if you really need to be protected against any and all germs, just use a copper or copper alloy surface; copper is biostatic, and all microbes on it die within half an hour. Remember this?: