He saw restaurants and bars he built and owned slowly closing after COVID-19.

But when structural engineer Nick Knudsen set out to find a solution to keep his business premises open, he finally created the answer to more struggles for survival. He came up with a plan with his business partner Korey Boals.

"He said,'Let's try to save everyone.' I said,'Sounds like a good idea,'" Knudsen recalled his conversation with Boals, which led to their establishment of Tempe Company Purification LLC in 2020 , The company produces and installs lamps that use CDC-approved UVC bulbs to kill pathogens in the air.

This technology uses UVC energy to disinfect air and surface pollutants and reduce spore activation. Knudsen's relationship in the food and beverage industry is eager to add lights to their premises, hoping that these lights will promote safe opening. Then, the dentist and doctor's office called. 

The 45 companies currently using Purification's UVC bulbs also include the Blue Ridge Fire District in northern Arizona and the private residence of the Chief of the Tucson City Fire Department. Knudsen installed lights for restaurants and nursing homes that were unaffordable at the time.

Almost every component of the bulb and device was built from scratch in Tempe with Knudsen’s own hands, starting from a flat piece of aluminum. He and Bols are working hard to mass-produce the product to bring it to the national market. Knudsen installed the lights himself to make sure it was installed correctly.

Purification's technology and methods not only guide a viable laser beam, but also contain it, so its potentially dangerous characteristics are suppressed in the bay. Knudsen explained that the lighting is installed in the recess, so it is impossible to see the light bulb or activate skin cancer cells.

Knudsen compared his UVC lamp with a normal HEPA filter. In fact, it is more of contrast. Filters trap impurities and throw them into the trash can, while UVC light destroys the pollutants that cause disease, whether it is the common cold virus or COVID-19.

Knudsen explained how HVAC systems became the main source of disease and bacteria transmission.

"This is how I feel about being able to use this technology to destroy these things instead of just grabbing them," he said. "It really protects (people). Knowing what can really clean and disinfect the air makes people feel more comfortable."

In the spring of 2020, just as the pandemic approached, Knudsen installed lights throughout the clinic of dentist James Mallory, the dentist in Scottsdale. His clinic remains open in emergencies, and Mallory wants to make sure his environment is as safe as possible for staff and patients.

Mallory has lights in the waiting and reception areas, separate treatment rooms, and air conditioning systems, so any circulating air will be disinfected before returning to the office.  

Mallory said there were no reports of COVID-19 by staff or patients.

"The air is being purified all the time. Blue light gives us a huge advantage. Coupled with our infection control technology, this has resulted in zero accidents," Mallory said.   

Mallory provides patients with information about the technology. He said this makes his clinic unique, and patients will stay or come to him because they feel safer.

"A great patient-centered work. I like it," he said.

Mallory understands this technology and believes in the science that supports it. He praised Knudsen for making it public, and doing everything from installation to follow-up work.

"Nick is a very ethical business owner. I think he ultimately cares about our patients, which is rare. Some people want to make money, but he actually cares," he said. "I really appreciate him and this technology. Everyone needs it to keep everyone safe."

It all started with a story about peanut butter told by a neighbor of one of Knudsen's grandparents.

Knudsen was 12 years old, and a small group of people gathered around an elderly gentleman to talk about his days working in a peanut butter factory. He talked about how the company uses UVC lights in transportation because peanut butter is a notorious harvesting ground for bacteria. However, the lamp solves this problem by preventing bacteria from growing on the oil.

"The others in the crowd were like,'Oh no, lighting can't do that.' But from a family of engineers, it really piqued my interest," Knudsen said.

He studied UVC light and continued to study and understand its working principle and the science behind it. The CDC and FDA have been using this technology in their facilities for decades for a reason. He talked about its use in major hospitals and universities, and all believe that the power of light can kill anything it can touch.

According to data from Allied Market Research, purification is part of the global UV disinfection equipment market, which is expected to reach US$5.7 billion by 2027.

Knudsen still faces the challenge of skeptics. He understands that some people may think he is a snake charmer's routine. He encourages them to do their own research, and if they are satisfied, call him. However, some people do not do this and remain pessimistic.

He talked about one, a structural engineer who owns a movie theater.

"Sometimes, it doesn't matter what I show to the CDC or the FDA. Some people have taken it to heart-it's just a light bulb," Knudsen said.

Knudsen has seen his products and more products in development, which are useful even when COVID-19 becomes manageable. He said that it is equally effective against influenza viruses, allergies, mutations and mutations. This will cover all the basics, benefiting the vaccinated and the unvaccinated.

Many years after the story of peanut butter, it became the core of a business model aimed at saving lives and protecting businesses.

Unfortunately, these companies are not his own. Knudsen’s restaurants and karaoke bars are closed during the pandemic.  

Knudsen is often asked whether he will return to the restaurant and bar business. He doesn't need to think about it. He did not hesitate to answer always in the negative.

Knudsen said: "Nothing makes me feel better than when customers call and say their business is booming or their employees feel safe, or when the health department tells them they are proud of taking this extra step. "Protecting them is the greatest reward for what I have done. My job now is to ensure that this technology is put into use safely and implemented in the right environment."

Location: 1007 E. Warner Road, Suite 109, Tempe

Factoid: According to data from Allied Market Research, the global UV disinfection equipment market is expected to reach US$5.7 billion by 2027.

Details: 602-903-9375, purificationllc.com