Advanced UV for Life
The interdisciplinary consortium "Advanced UV for Life" (2013-2021) managed by the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut comprised 49 partners - research institutions as well as industrial companies. This cooperation has since been consolidated in the association of the same name, "Advanced UV for Life e.V.".
The partners cover the whole value chain: from development, manufacturing, and systems integration to application and marketing of UV-LED based components, systems, and processes. Over 80 percent of them are located in the new German Federal States. From the capital region, institutions like the Charité, the Leibniz Institute for Crystal Growth, and Technische Universität Berlin contribute to "Advanced UV for Life" along with companies like CrysTec, LayTec, and OSA Opto Light.
Objectives and Research Focus

"Advanced UV for Life" aims at developing semiconductor light sources to open up new markets and expand existing ones for UV technology - from tailored semiconductor devices to assemblies and modules to the final application. The focus is on the development of light sources for the shorter UV wavelength range and on novel technologies to manufacture them. Due to optimum materials composition and structuring, devices shall be fabricated that emit narrow-band UV light with freely adjustable wavelength and with the required output power.
- AlN substrates
- Epitaxy & monitoring tools
- UVB & UVC LEDs
- UV photodetector chips
- Mounting & packaging
- Encapsulation technology
- Actuation & control
- UV metrology
- in vivo sun protection
- multi-resistant germs
- Redox status in blood & skin
- UVB phototherapy
- Horticultural lighting
- Secondary plant metabolites
- Environmental analysis
- DNA extraction & detection
- Water purification
- Surface decontamination
- Air disinfection
- Germ detection
- 2D & 3D UV printing
- Lightweight construction
- UV curing in production processes
- UV lithography