Marktech Optoelectronics Named a 2024 Best of Sensors Awards Finalist for 235nm and 255nm Deep UVC LEDs and Detectors

Latham, NY, May 31, 2024—Marktech Optoelectronics today announces it has been named a finalist in the Cleantech/Sustainability category of the 2024 Best of Sensors Awards for “235nm and 255nm Deep UVC LEDs and Detectors.” The awards program, presented by Sensors Converge and Fierce Electronics, honors the best in sensor technologies, the sensor ecosystem, people, and companies.

Deep UVC light sources play a crucial role in pollution and water quality sensors, including nutrient/nitrate sensors, COD sensors, and NDUV gas sensors, as well as continuous emission monitors (CEMs) and ozone analyzers. The World Health Organization reports that poor air quality, largely due to human activities, leads to nearly 7 million premature deaths worldwide yearly. ‘Criteria pollutants’ such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter are notorious for their adverse health effects and damage to crops and ecosystems. Ozone also has a significant impact on the Earth’s climate. Access to safe drinking water, a key WHO goal, remains a challenge for billions, and water quality sensors are instrumental in achieving clean, potable water supplies for all.

Many current water quality sensors and emission monitors use Mercury (Hg) vapor lamps, which have their limitations. They require warm-up periods, cannot be pulsed, and produce high heat, leading to sensor lens fouling. The broader spectrum has higher UV wavelengths prone to cause skin cancer. In contrast, our deep UVC LEDs, developed in partnership with Silanna, a leading Australian compound semiconductor manufacturer on the cutting edge of UVC innovation, offer a superior solution. They have low heat output, eliminating lens fouling in water quality sensing. They do not contain toxic compounds, can be instantly turned on and off, and their pulsing capability further extends their long lifespan. These advantages make our product a safe, efficient, and compact solution for various applications.

Our innovation knows no bounds. With the ability to integrate multiple wavelength UVC LEDs and solar blind silicon carbide (SiC) and other photodiodes in the same package, the possibilities are endless. This versatility is not just a feature, it’s a gateway to a world of exciting applications.

The inclusion of a SiC UVC detector enables monitoring of the light output from the LEDs, which is important since deep UV light is invisible to human eyes. We also manufacture separate SiC photodiode detectors to measure the amount of UVC light passing through water, wastewater, ballast water, food, medicine, blood, or other mediums. A solar-blind SiC photodiode is essential to UVC water purifiers and ultraviolet germicidal (UVGI) disinfection systems. The solar blind aspect prevents visible, ambient light from affecting measurements. NSF/ANSI 55 Class A sets the minimum standards for UV water treatment systems, requiring them to include a UV detector. 

In UV fluorescence applications, our silicon and InGaAs photodiodes can be used to detect and quantify fluorophore emissions without detection of the UVC excitation source by selecting “UVC blind” InGaAs photodiodes or silicon photodiodes with optical filters.

“It’s an honor to see our 235nm and 255nm Deep UVC LEDs and detectors ATLAS recognized as a finalist in the prestigious Cleantech/Sustainability category of the Best of Sensors Awards 2023. We believe these new UVC light sources and SiC photodiode detectors are an enabling technology that will lead to breakthroughs in water quality sensing, gas analysis, air disinfection, wound healing, spectroscopy, water purification, surgical instrument and sterilization, surface sanitization, cold pasteurization, medical diagnostics, and other ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) applications.

This recognition reaffirms our unwavering commitment to engineering excellence, product innovation, and dedication to pushing the boundaries of photonics technologies. We aim to continue our mission to develop high-performance, reliable solutions that meet the evolving needs of the cleantech and sustainability sectors. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Silanna UV and Marktech Optoelectronics teams, whose passion and expertise made this recognition possible, and to Sensors Converge and Fierce Electronics for acknowledging our contribution to the sensor ecosystem.”

– Mark Campito, CEO, Marktech Optoelectronics.

Charlene Soucy, Senior Director, Technology – Sensors & Electronics said, “The innovation this year surpassed other years with new, innovative technologies as well as technologists doing groundbreaking work in the field of design engineering. We congratulate the finalists on their accomplishments and look forward to seeing who the judges select as the best next month.”

Submissions were judged based on the value to the marketplace, the impact of the problems it solves or issues it addresses and the uniqueness of the design. Award winners will be announced on June 21 at Sensors Converge.

Sensors Converge offers several registration options, including the All-Access Pass, which provides access to the entire event, including pre-conference workshops and conference passes, and the Expo Hall Pass, which offers access to the Expo Hall. Advance registration rates are available now through June 18th. For more information, visit: https://www.sensorsexpo.com/register.

Here are links to: the announcement on the Sensors Converge website and our exhibitor listing.

Here are links to Marktech’s: UV LEDs, UV Detectors, Si Photodiodes (Si PDs), and InGaAs PDs