06.08.2025

Multidrug-resistant organisms are a serious problem in hospitals, as many cannot be treated with antibiotics. Researchers at the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut have developed far-UVC LEDs that can effectively kill these pathogens. The new technology may enable medical disinfection in areas that are otherwise difficult to reach, such as the nasopharyngeal cavity.

Image: The picture shows a small blue-emitting micro-LED being tested on a laboratory setup; Copyright: FBH/P. Immerz

A micro-LED at the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut emitting far-UVC light during testing for future medical applications.

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Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are a significant issue in medical care. According to the Robert Koch Institute, there are 400,000 to 600,000 hospital infections in Germany every year, leading to around 10,000 to 20,000 deaths. As antibiotic resistance continues to grow, alternative treatment approaches are urgently required.

Development at the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut

The Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH), Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik, has developed far-UVC LEDs that emit light below 235 nanometers. These micro-LED-based devices are compact and powerful enough to inactivate harmful microorganisms, including MDROs, without penetrating the deeper layers of the skin.

Dr. Sven Einfeldt, research group leader at the FBH, explains: “With these very short-wave LEDs, we were able to demonstrate international record values in terms of efficiency and performance – a real breakthrough. Together with partners, we now want to take the next step from the laboratory to practical application with a prototype.”

Extensive studies within BMFTR-funded projects at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Universitätsmedizin Greifswald confirmed that 233 nm UVC LEDs can be used for skin irradiation without causing lasting damage.

Towards nasopharyngeal applications

Until now, irradiation systems using UVC LEDs have mainly been applied to outer skin. Medical professionals envision compact LED devices for direct use in the nasal or throat cavity. Prof. Martina Meinke, head of the Center for Skin Physiology at Charité, states: “Small LED irradiation sources with an output power of around one milliwatt that we can insert directly into the nose or throat would be ideal. This would allow us to inactivate MDROs in their habitats, which have been difficult to reach until now. After disinfecting the entire body with special washing lotions and mouthwashes, it would be possible, for example, to completely eliminate MRSA bacteria."

The FBH has now optimized its UVC LEDs to meet the required power levels. When integrated into an endoscope, these LEDs can achieve effective irradiation within about five minutes, without generating significant heat.

Far-UVC LEDs for medical applications

Thanks to the aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) material system, far-UVC LEDs are technologically complex. Through the work of Dr. Jens Rass, the FBH achieved a record by surpassing 1 milliwatt continuous-wave output from a fiber-coupled light source.

This progress opens possibilities for medical disinfection and sensor technology. With up to 125,000 micro-LEDs on a single square-millimeter chip, the dense array design allows five times more light coupling compared to conventional far-UVC LEDs. These fiber-coupled sources could be highly effective for eradicating MDROs in body cavities.

COMPAMED-tradefair.com; Source: Ferdinand-Braun-Institut gGmbH Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik

More about the FBH Berlin at: www.fbh-berlin.de/en