UV sterilizing door handle costs 13 USD

Two teenagers from Hong Kong, Sum Ming Wong (17) and Kin Pong Li (18 years old), introduced a convenient door handle design that can kill bacteria with UV at the Science and Technology Fair. International (Intel ISEF), organized by Intel on May 12 last.

Sterilizing door handle with UV light

It is known that new door handles will be coated with titanium dioxide - a mineral that can kill bacteria, often found in paints and sunscreens. This chemical helps prevent germ growth on the surface of the handle.

However, since titanium dioxide only plays its role when it is exposed to ultraviolet rays (UV) , the team is forced to find a way. After analysis, they devised a less-than-expected method: giving the ultraviolet light out from within. Therefore, the door handle is designed as a transparent glass cylinder, with light- emitting diodes (LEDs) attached to one end, acting as UV light. With the appearance of UV rays, titanium dioxide kills bacteria more easily than ever.

As soon as the UV story is solved, a new problem arises: LEDs require energy to work. In order to keep the light maintained, Wong and Li installed a power generator into the door, helping to transform the kinetic energy generated by the gears at each opening into electricity. Thanks to this initiative, their special handles can work well without needing another source of energy from outside.

Although it takes a lot of stages to complete the product, the cost of installing a similar disinfection system is only $ 13.

The Intel ISEF is the world's largest science competition held annually. This year, the fair was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA) with the participation of more than 1,700 high school students from more than 70 different countries and territories. This is an opportunity for young scientists to present their inventions and ideas. The total prize value of the program is up to 5 million USD.