In the spring of 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) embarked on a mission critical to the Navy’s operational readiness: evaluating ultraviolet (UV) light technologies capable of disinfecting environments to reduce viral transmission. The rapid establishment of a dedicated UV characterization laboratory at NRL’s Washington, D.C. headquarters exemplified the institution’s agility in responding to emergent threats. This initiative was undertaken by the Naval COVID Rapid Response Team (NCR2T), a specialized unit formed under the auspices of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to provide the Fleet with scientifically validated tools for combating the virus.
The impetus for this project originated from a definitive outbreak aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), marking the first major COVID-19 incident within the U.S. Fleet. In response, NAVSEA was tasked with assessing available disinfection technologies that could be rapidly integrated into operational procedures to safeguard sailors and preserve mission capability. NRL’s Plasma Physics Division leveraged its multidisciplinary expertise to develop a robust testing methodology that would quantify the effectiveness of diverse ultraviolet light sources against viral contaminants.
At the core of NRL’s evaluation process was the design and implementation of a standardized measurement system for UV light sources. Utilizing an automated three-axis motorized translation stage, researchers were able to meticulously map both the intensity and spectral qualities of ultraviolet emissions emitted by commercial devices. Such precision was necessary given the complex photonic interactions underlying viral inactivation, where UV dose, wavelength, and irradiance patterns collectively determine disinfection efficacy.
The evaluation encompassed a broad spectrum of ultraviolet devices ranging from compact, hand-held units intended for localized surface treatment to large-scale installations engineered for whole-room disinfection. The analytical framework established by NRL facilitated direct comparisons of these technologies under consistent testing conditions, thereby allowing Fleet commanders to make informed decisions rooted in empirical data. Moreover, the lab’s rapid setup—accomplished in a matter of days—demonstrates the Naval Research Laboratory’s capacity to mobilize advanced scientific resources in times of urgent operational need.
Complementing the physical characterization of these UV devices, collaboration with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division introduced a biological testing component. In their Ultraviolet Characterization Laboratory, biological surrogate testing employed viral analogs to assess the real-world efficacy of ultraviolet radiation in deactivating viral particles on surfaces commonly encountered aboard naval vessels. This inter-agency partnership ensured that physical measurements correlated with actual antimicrobial performance, thereby validating the utility of these technologies for Navy applications.
Importantly, findings from these studies not only informed the selection of effective ultraviolet disinfection devices but also contributed to the development of standardized operating procedures for their application within Fleet environments. Through rigorous analysis, NRL’s scientists delineated energy thresholds and exposure parameters that balance viral inactivation with safe operational practices, mitigating potential risks associated with ultraviolet light exposure to personnel. These protocols have since been integrated into Fleet guidelines, enhancing overall biological safety without compromising mission readiness.
Dr. Brett M. Huhman, Ph.D., P.E., Principal Investigator of the NRL NCR2T, emphasized the intensity and rapid pace of the research, noting that hundreds of hours of collaborative effort between engineers and physicists were dedicated to delivering actionable evaluations under tight deadlines. This exemplifies the legacy of innovation within the NRL, a laboratory renowned for its capacity to address emerging defense challenges through both fundamental and applied scientific inquiry.
Beyond ultraviolet disinfection technologies, the Military Medical Innovation Family Event hosted by the National Museum of Health and Medicine provided an interdisciplinary showcase of advancements in military healthcare. Among the featured demonstrations was NRL’s innovative approach to vector control, highlighting cutting-edge polymer-based fiber and gel technologies designed to repel disease-carrying insects. This research addresses a less visible but equally lethal battlefield hazard, underscoring the comprehensive nature of NRL’s commitment to warfighter health.
Additionally, the event spotlighted breakthroughs in microbial diagnostics, featuring portable DNA sequencing technologies capable of rapidly identifying pathogenic bacteria in the field. Such innovations represent a quantum leap in battlefield medicine, enabling timely diagnostics and informed clinical decisions in austere environments. These efforts reflect NRL’s holistic approach to military medical research—ranging from environmental disinfection to pathogen identification—with the overarching goal of enhancing force health protection.
NRL’s broad scientific portfolio, encompassing disciplines from plasma physics to bioengineering, underscores the laboratory’s essential role in sustaining and advancing U.S. Navy capabilities. The institution’s personnel, numbering some 3,000 civilian scientists and engineers across multiple sites, continuously drive forward research efforts that span from the ocean floor to outer space. It is this dynamic ecosystem of expertise and innovation that enables rapid responses to global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The naval ultraviolet light characterization lab’s success story serves as a case study in how science, technology, and inter-agency collaboration can converge to deliver practical, life-saving solutions under exigent circumstances. By leveraging precise photometric measurements, biological efficacy testing, and procedural standardization, NRL effectively equipped the Fleet with tools vital to maintaining operational strength amidst unprecedented health challenges.
As the pandemic evolves, the technologies and operational knowledge generated by the NCR2T continue to inform biodefense strategies across the Department of Defense. The integrative nature of this research—melding physics with microbiology and engineering—demonstrates a paradigm of military science where multidisciplinarity is not only advantageous but essential. NRL’s pioneering efforts in UV source evaluation mark an important milestone in the broader narrative of pandemic response and military medical innovation.
Subject of Research: Evaluation and characterization of ultraviolet light sources for viral disinfection against COVID-19 aboard U.S. Navy vessels.
Article Title: Naval Research Laboratory’s Rapid Development of Ultraviolet Disinfection Technologies Bolsters Fleet Resilience Against COVID-19
News Publication Date: April 26, 2025
Web References:
- https://medicalmuseum.health.mil/index.cfm?p=visit.events.2025.military_medical_innovation
- https://www.nrl.navy.mil/Media/News/Article/2391376/nrl-researchers-evaluate-ultraviolet-sources-combat-covid-19/
Image Credits: U.S. Navy Photo
Keywords
COVID-19, ultraviolet disinfection, naval research, plasma physics, infectious diseases, viral inactivation, military medical innovation, biodefense, photometry, microbiological efficacy testing, USS Theodore Roosevelt, pandemic response
