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Asahi Kasei provides innovative solutions for prevention of COVID-19

UVC LEDs to inactivate the coronavirus and 3Cs visualization solution to avoid its spread

October 13, 2020
Asahi Kasei Corp.

Asahi Kasei is providing solutions to prevent COVID-19 through high-performance UVC LEDs for disinfection and a visualization solution that combines sensors and image editing technology to prevent infection.

Asahi Kasei’s Marketing & Innovation (M&I) promotes connections inside and outside of the company to create businesses in new fields leveraging the Asahi Kasei Group’s overall capability spanning different business units and provide markets with value through our combined strength.

Ongoing efforts at M&I include a demonstration trial to ascertain comfortable educational environments by using sensors to monitor conditions such as CO2 concentration and ambient temperature, and commercialization of a system to sterilize running water using high-performance UVC LEDs. With the global COVID-19 pandemic, M&I focused on utilizing the underlying technologies to provide solutions for prevention of infection by avoiding the “three Cs” (closed spaces, crowded places, and close contact) and by disinfecting surfaces.

(1) Efficacy of high-performance UVC LEDs to prevent COVID-19 infection

Regarding the efficacy of UVC LEDs in inactivating the novel coronavirus, Crystal IS, Inc. (CIS), an Asahi Kasei company, and National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) of Boston University (Provost: Jean Morrison) performed research demonstrating that Klaran™ UVC LEDs with an emission range of 260–270 nm can effectively inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Made using the Asahi Kasei Group’s leading single-crystal aluminum nitride (AlN) substrates and thin-film crystal growth technologies, Klaran™ achieves the highest output in the 260–270 nm wavelength range, which is most effective for deactivation of bacteria and viruses. The joint research with Boston University’s NEIDL confirmed that the 260–270 nm emission range can inactivate SARS-CoV-2 with lower doses of UVC light than with emission of 280 nm, as had been reported in other studies. Based on this result, it is expected that Klaran™ will enable effective disinfection functions to be devised in various environments and equipment. Asahi Kasei will expand applications of Klaran™ for surface disinfection in addition to the conventional application for running water sterilization.

High-performance UVC LED surface disinfection reference video:
https://youtu.be/tuzdzprdDUU

Corporate profile of Crystal IS, Inc.

Establishment
1997 (spinoff from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)
Location
New York, USA
President and CEO
Larry Felton
Operations
Development, manufacturing and sale of UVC LEDs using AlN substrates
Website
https://www.klaran.com/

(2) Trial marketing of 3Cs visualization solution to avoid the three Cs

A solution for visualization of the three Cs using environment sensors and live video cameras measures the decrease in CO2 concentration by ventilation, and reveals whether social distancing is being maintained. In July 2020, Asahi Kasei conducted a verification test of this solution at Kyotanabe City Hall in Kyoto Prefecture. As this test achieved stable real-time results through the internet, the decision was made to begin trial marketing of the solution.

The 3Cs visualization solution enables visualization of the three Cs by combining environment sensors to measure CO2 concentration together with live video through the SKETOLN™ system that shows people in silhouette outline to protect privacy. Visualization of the three Cs will help managers of facilities, shops, and restaurants to maintain a safer environment that can appeal to customers and visitors. There is also a function for managers to be notified by e-mail when the CO2 concentration exceeds a certain standard, which is expected to further advance measures to avoid the three Cs.

3Cs visualization solution video:
https://youtu.be/8ccmeeh30Xg

At “Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO 2021 S/S” in October 12–17, 2020, Asahi Kasei’s CO2 sensors are used as a COVID-19 preventive measure.

Special website of 3Cs visualization solution: https://www.ak3cs.com/en/

Sample image of 3Cs visualization solution using environment sensors and live video

Asahi Kasei remains committed to contributing to safety and peace of mind in society while stimulating economic activity together with sustainability by providing solutions for the management of shops and events to apply COVID-19 prevention measures.