Samsung launches wireless charger that sterilises your phone with UV light

Hanno Labuschagne

Hanno Labuschagne

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Samsung launches wireless charger that sterilises your phone with UV light

Samsung has launched a UV Steriliser which allows users to disinfect their smartphones and wearables as they charge.

This device may be appealing to consumers in a time where the importance of sanitising themselves and their environments has been emphasised as a measure to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

Certain wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) light have been found to be extremely effective for disinfection in various applications, including the sterilisation of food, water, and laboratory equipment.
 
garyc

garyc

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In their advert Samsung says it is for some bacteria, and list three of them. Different pathogens require different intensities of UVC light to kill them. The Coronavirus needs really high levels of this, so since it was not designed to address this pathogen it almost certainly wont be effective against it.

Looks like Samsung is being gratuitous by cashing in on people who don't know the difference between the varying steralization requirements. It is however a good thing if you are worried about Candida albicans.
 
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Saba'a

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garyc said:
In their advert Samsung says it is for some bacteria, and list three of them. Different pathogens require different intensities of UVC light to kill them. The Coronavirus needs really high levels of this, so since it was not designed to address this pathogen it almost certainly wont be effective against it.

Looks like Samsung is being gratuitous by cashing in on people who don't know the difference between the varying steralization requirements. It is however a good thing if you are worried about Candida albicans.
Click to expand...
What should one look for when buying a uv steriliser?
 
garyc

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adielk said:
What should one look for when buying a uv steriliser?
Click to expand...
The critical factor is the type and amount of UV light. It is the UV-C part of the light spectrum which has the correct effect. The light sources used for the disinfection are typically in the 230 to 255 nm wavelength range.

The amount of light is refereed to as the dosage, and is the energy over the area. This is typically expressed in mJ/cm^2. The energy can be determined by multiplying the output power of the light source by the exposure time. The total dosage depends on the type of surface (i.e. if there are hiding places for the virus), and will be in the range of 1000 to 4000 mJ/cm^2. A phone will probably be towards the lower end of this range due to the smooth surfaces, but only if it has been physically cleaned first.
 
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Saba'a

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Any uv sterilisers you would recommend?

See some sold by Takealot and medical companies.

Strangely enough none by Dischem or Clicks.
 
garyc

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adielk said:
Any uv sterilisers you would recommend?

See some sold by Takealot and medical companies.

Strangely enough none by Dischem or Clicks.
Click to expand...
It would be difficult to recommend the commercial products without seeing accredited test results on them. Some overstate the performance and there are also a lot of fake products out there which do not even emit the correct UV wavelength.

The best might be to phone a local supplier of properly tested lamps and ask if any of their customers are making a product like this at the moment. A good start could be Technilamp, they sell nice Philips lamps (although laregely sold out by now).

https://technilamp.co.za/
 
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Saba'a

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garyc said:
It would be difficult to recommend the commercial products without seeing accredited test results on them. Some overstate the performance and there are also a lot of fake products out there which do not even emit the correct UV wavelength.

The best might be to phone a local supplier of properly tested lamps and ask if any of their customers are making a product like this at the moment. A good start could be Technilamp, they sell nice Philips lamps (although laregely sold out by now).

https://technilamp.co.za/
Click to expand...
Got no response but bought a samsung steriliser/ charger.
 
My_King

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They should make a device for car keys and 2 of your fingers:

1601650253211.png

*White shirts and black pants have no viruses
 
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Willie Trombone

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This was a South African school girl's project some years back - develop a UV phone sterilization system. Circa 2014 if I am not mistaken. I wonder if she got acknowledgement?
 
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Saba'a

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Eric said:
This was a South African school girl's project some years back - develop a UV phone sterilization system. Circa 2014 if I am not mistaken. I wonder if she got acknowledgement?
Click to expand...
Probably not. Doesn't work on covid as the uv light needed for that is too dangerous.
 
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