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The scientific program for ICFUST 2026 brings together leading researchers, clinicians, engineers, public-health experts, and technology developers working across far-UVC science and implementation.
Across three days, the conference explores airborne infection control, photobiological safety, indoor air chemistry, healthcare deployment, standards and governance, emerging applications, and next-generation ultraviolet source technologies.
The program includes invited keynotes, contributed presentations, poster sessions, round-table discussions, and networking activities designed to support exchange across science, healthcare, engineering, and real-world implementation.
The first day of ICFUST 2026 focuses on current evidence surrounding far-UVC efficacy, safety, and indoor environmental impacts, spanning airborne transmission, photobiological exposure, and indoor air chemistry.
Opening remarks from the organizing committee and conference chair.
Manuela Buonanno
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Far-UVC today: efficacy, safety, and the path to real-world use
Current evidence surrounding far-UVC and airborne infection control.
| Time | Speaker | Presentation |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00–10:15 | Grant P. Higerd-Rusli (Stanford University School of Medicine) | Germicidal Ultraviolet to Reduce Transmission of Respiratory Infections Indoors: A Systematic Review |
| 10:15–10:30 | K. Wood (University of St Andrews) | Validated computer modelling of far-UVC inactivation of airborne pathogens in the Leeds bioaerosol chamber |
| 10:30–10:45 | Robert Alexander (University of Bristol) | Quantifying airborne microbe inactivation rates by far-UVC, one droplet at a time |
| 10:45–11:00 | Matthew D. Pauly (Emory University) | Measuring the effect of far-UVC on infectious respiratory particles expelled by influenza patients |
| 11:00–11:15 | Q&A with speakers |
Johannes Schleusener
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Far-UVC safety across wavelengths and tissues: perspectives for intended and unintended exposure to humans
Photobiological safety, tissue effects, and exposure considerations across far-UVC wavelengths.
| Time | Speaker | Presentation |
|---|---|---|
| 12:15–12:30 | Raabia Hashmi (Columbia University Irving Medical Center) | Tissue and Molecular Effects of Chronic 222 nm and 254 nm UVC Exposure in SKH-1 Mice |
| 12:30–12:45 | Norman J. Kleiman (Columbia University Irving Medical Center) | Differential effects on visual function after chronic exposure to 222 nm far-UVC or 254 nm UVC in SKH-1 mice |
| 12:45–13:00 | Q&A with speakers |
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 13:00–13:15 | Poster contributors present short “1-minute madness” introductions before the poster session |
| Time | Speaker | Presentation |
|---|---|---|
| 14:15–14:30 | Sachiko Kaidzu (Shimane University Faculty of Medicine) | Human Ocular-Discomfort-Free Thresholds for 222 nm Far-UVC Irradiation: A Prospective Interventional Study |
| 14:30–14:45 | David H. Sliney (Consulting Medical Physicist) | Photobiological Safety: rationale and future outlook for limiting human exposure |
| 14:45–15:00 | Q&A with speakers |
Indoor environmental effects of far-UVC systems, including ozone formation and secondary chemistry.
| Time | Speaker | Presentation |
|---|---|---|
| 15:30–15:45 | PJ Piper (Far UV Technologies) | Assessing ozone and secondary byproducts from far-UVC disinfection in an office setting |
| 15:45–16:00 | Kasper Kristensen (Aarhus University) | Beyond Disinfection: Photochemical and Surface-Mediated Impacts of Far-UVC on Indoor Air Chemistry |
| 16:00–16:15 | Tyson C. Berg (Colorado State University) | Identifying air-quality impacts of GUV222 use during common indoor activities |
| 16:15–16:30 | Farideh H. Narouei (Columbia University Irving Medical Center) | Ozone kinetics induced by far-UVC (222 nm) in a real-life test room under various environmental conditions |
| 16:30–16:45 | Q&A with speakers |
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 17:30–20:00 | Networking at Hantwerk Brewery Join fellow delegates for an informal networking evening at Hantwerk Brewery, one of Aarhus' local craft breweries. Included with conference registration, this relaxed social event offers the opportunity to connect with colleagues while enjoying a selection of locally brewed beers and non-alcoholic beverages. Light snacks will be served throughout the evening. Venue: Hantwerk Brewery, Fiskerivej 2D, 8000 Aarhus C (approximately a 10-minute walk from the conference venue)
As an added attraction during the ICFUST conference, The Tall Ships Races will be taking place in Aarhus Harbour, directly adjacent to Navitas, the conference venue. This internationally renowned maritime event brings together majestic sailing ships from around the world and creates a vibrant waterfront atmosphere with exhibitions, entertainment, cultural activities, and opportunities to explore the impressive fleet of tall ships. |
The second day of ICFUST 2026 focuses on clinical deployment, implementation challenges, standards, governance, and the broader transition of far-UVC technologies into real-world environments.
Edward Nardell
Harvard Medical School
Far UVC is Highly Effective Against Human-generated Mycobacterium tuberculosis Aerosol in Preventing Transmission in a Hospital Setting to Sentinel Guinea Pigs
Translating laboratory findings into practical healthcare and real-world environments.
| Time | Speaker | Presentation |
|---|---|---|
| 09:45–10:00 | Gerhard Randers-Pehrson (Columbia University Irving Medical Center) | A chamber to bridge real-world and laboratory far-UVC studies |
| 10:00–10:15 | J. Aaron Williams (Anesthesiologist) | Hospitalism, Operating Rooms, and the “Clean” Case Conundrum: Shining a Light on the Fundamental Inadequacy of Modern Indoor Infection Control |
| 10:15–10:30 | Q&A with speakers |
Jameela Al Salman
Arabian Gulf University
From innovation to implementation: introducing new infection-prevention technologies in healthcare
Practical deployment challenges, operational experiences, and implementation in healthcare and public environments.
| Time | Speaker | Presentation |
|---|---|---|
| 11:30–11:45 | Holger Claus (A3 Lighting Consulting) | 222 nm lighting planning and verification for the South Africa TB infection intervention project: determining a dose-response curve |
| 11:45–12:00 | Janet Price (Visium) | Real-World Efficacy and Challenges: Examining Diverse Applications of Far-UVC and Measuring Success Outcomes |
| 12:00–12:15 | Tarfa Saad Saleh Almugeren (Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia) | Operational Impact of Far UV-C (222 nm) on Environmental Contamination Control in ICU Settings |
| 12:15–12:30 | Christian Holm (Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University) | The potential effectiveness of far-UVC (222 nm) in preventing infections in long-term care facilities: a six-month non-randomized controlled Phase II trial |
| 12:30–12:45 | Q&A with speakers |
How far-UVC technologies are evaluated, regulated, communicated, and adopted.
| Time | Speaker | Presentation |
|---|---|---|
| 14:00–14:15 | Ahmed Fadil Hamid (FORCE Technology) | IEC 62471 in practice and challenges across applications |
| 14:15–14:30 | Daniel Minzari (IPU) | Photochemical impact from far-UVC: how to deal with unknowns and avoid undesired consequences |
| 14:30–14:40 | Q&A with speakers | |
| 14:40–14:55 | Kelsey Quinn (Blueprint Biosecurity) | From Evidence Gaps to Real-World Impact: A Coordinated Research Strategy for Accelerating Far-UVC Adoption |
| 14:55–15:10 | Young Yun (University of Maryland School of Public Health) | From Public Voice to Indoor Air Governance |
| 15:10–15:25 | Kate McPhaul (University of Maryland School of Public Health) and Erik Ennen (NALMCO) | Removing Barriers to Using GUV for Air Disinfection |
| 15:25–15:35 | Q&A with speakers |
An open discussion bringing together scientific, clinical, industrial, and implementation perspectives on the challenges and opportunities surrounding real-world deployment.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 19:00–22:00 | Conference Dinner The conference dinner, generously sponsored by UV Medico, is included with conference registration and offers an excellent opportunity for networking in a unique setting. Guests will enjoy a specially curated menu prepared by renowned Danish chef Steen Nielsen, owner of De 4 Årstider, celebrated for his focus on seasonal ingredients and Nordic cuisine. The evening will also feature live music entertainment, providing a memorable atmosphere for socializing and celebrating with fellow delegates. Venue: Balticagade 17B, 8000 Aarhus C (approximately a 20-minute walk from the conference venue).
|
The final day of ICFUST 2026 focuses on emerging applications of far-UVC technologies alongside next-generation ultraviolet source platforms, including LEDs, semiconductor systems, and integrated photonics.
An open morning discussion exploring future directions and remaining scientific challenges in far-UVC research.
Emerging applications of far-UVC technologies in water treatment, food safety, and environmental systems.
| Time | Speaker | Presentation |
|---|---|---|
| 09:45–10:00 | Karl G. Linden (University of Colorado Boulder) | Far UVC Innovations in Sustainable Water Treatment |
| 10:00–10:15 | Sung-Jin Park (Eden Park Illumination / University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) | Far-UVC Disinfection for Food Safety: System Development and Field Validation on Food Processing Conveyors |
| 10:15–10:30 | David Welch (Columbia University Irving Medical Center) | Effect of repeated UVC exposure on UV-resistance of microbial populations |
| 10:30–10:45 | Q&A with speakers |
Enabling technologies for next-generation far-UVC systems, including semiconductor emitters, integrated photonics, and deep-UV source platforms.
| Time | Speaker | Presentation |
|---|---|---|
| 11:30–11:45 | Asger Brimnes Gardner (UVL A/S / Aarhus University) | Photonic integrated far-UVC laser using Čerenkov nonlinear frequency conversion |
| 11:45–12:00 | Karen Scammell (Uviquity) | A Semiconductor Chip Capable of Generating Far-UVC Light to Enable Ubiquitous Pathogen Control |
| 12:00–12:15 | Emma Eriksson (PureFize Technologies AB) | Field-Emission Cathodoluminescent Deep-UV Source with Emission below 240 nm |
| 12:15–12:30 | Q&A with speakers |
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 12:30–12:45 | Physics show and social activity |
| Time | Speaker | Presentation |
|---|---|---|
| 14:00–14:15 | Leo J. Schowalter (Visium UltraLabs) | Development of LEDs for far-UVC air disinfection |
| 14:15–14:30 | Sven Einfeldt (Ferdinand-Braun-Institut) | Applicability of far-UVC LEDs: efficiency, reliability, modulation, and fiber coupling |
| 14:30–14:45 | Q&A with speakers |
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 14:45–15:00 | Closing remarks from the conference chair and organizing committee |
Questions? icfust26@au.dk
