Introduction

LED lighting system, to be used for the lighting of underground environments, which doe not activate photosynthesis in photosynthetic microorganisms; able to inhibit the growth of photosynthetic biodeteriogenic organisms.

Technical features

Lighting system based on a series of narrow band LEDs that can be modulated to the desired amplitude and frequency required to mitigate the growth of  certain microorganisms on surfaces. With an electronic control system of the LEDs, it is possible to modulate the intensity individually or in groups, without affecting the estimated duration. The choice of frequencies requires a preliminary analytical procedure to identify any species that may already be present or whose growth is expected based on the materials and the thermo-hygrometric conditions of the environment. The light resulting from the intensity of the individual LEDs and their number allows to optimize the aesthetic effect and therefore the vision of the exhibiting space/ambience; particularly important in the case of Cultural Heritage whilst mitigating microbial growth. The procedure involves the study of the stone material constituting the environment and the biodeteriogens present in it; on these bases it is possible to choose the spectrum of the source most suitable for the species to be inhibited and, compatibly, which can also result in an aesthetically optimal color scheme.

Possible Applications

• Continuous and environmentally friendly disinfestation of sites colonized by biodeteriogens;
• Sites of interest for Cultural Heritage;
• Environments for civil use.

Advantages

• Possibility to modulate the spectrum of the light produced in intensity and frequency;
• Optimization of the inhibitory action on organisms that exploit different photosynthetic modalities;
• Easy replacement of the lighting head of the prototype that allows the enlargement of the species whose growth can be inhibited.