Germicidal Ultraviolet (GUV) technology uses UV-C light (200–280 nanometer wavelength) to neutralize airborne pathogens. Properly designed GUV systems can enhance biosecurity by lowering concentrations of viruses, bacteria, and mold in indoor spaces, helping curb the spread of illnesses such as COVID-19, influenza, measles, tuberculosis, and other emerging threats.

When combined with ventilation and filtration, GUV offers an effective, energy-efficient strategy to reduce costs and protect the health of occupants in schools, offices, health care facilities, and other shared environments. Studies at PNNL show GUV is among the most energy-efficient air cleaning technologies, using up to 99 percent less energy than outdoor air ventilation.

PNNL’s research on GUV includes real-world performance evaluations, product testing, design tool development and validation, and techno-economic analyses.