Aerosol Particles and their Dispersion - Scientific Network to Support Interdisciplinary Exchange in the DFG Focus Funding COVID-19

在冠状病毒大流行期间，很明显，气溶胶对感染过程有重大贡献，但它们的传播动力学和与病毒传染性相关的老化在科学上仍然很大程度上未知。特别是在呼吸、说话、咳嗽和打喷嚏过程中气溶胶颗粒的形成，以及它们在室内的动力学和扩散动力学（湍流混合）方面的问题，迄今为止在很大程度上仍未得到解答。此外，关于室内空气中气溶胶颗粒的有效去除和气溶胶传播病毒的传染性以及通过多物理方法（辐射、电荷、温度等）灭活它们的可能性，仍然存在许多不确定性。气溶胶颗粒在呼吸道中的沉积和运输在很大程度上也是未知的。为支持抗击COVID-19大流行，DFG发起了一个重点资助COVID-19“气溶胶颗粒及其扩散”，在该框架下将资助15个项目。在重点资助范围内，预计这些项目将使用可转移到SARS-CoV-2的模型系统（例如病毒样颗粒），以及工程和/或生命科学之间的跨学科合作。该科学网络旨在支持“DFG-Fokusförderung”计划中的跨学科交流。此外，该网络应能够启动DFG优先规划，对携带病毒的气溶胶进行跨学科调查。

During the Corona pandemic, it became clear that aerosols contribute significantly to the infection process, but their propagation kinetics and ageing in connection with the infectivity of the virus are still largely unknown scientifically. In particular questions on the formation of aerosol particles during breathing, speaking, coughing and sneezing, as well as theirkinetics and dispersal dynamics (turbulent mixing) in rooms have so far remained largely unanswered. In addition, there are still many uncertainties regarding the efficientremoval of aerosol particles from indoor air and the infectivity of aerosol-borne viruses as well as their possible inactivation by means of multiphysical approaches (radiation, charge, temperature, etc.). The deposition and transport of aerosol particles in the respiratory tract is also largely unexplored. To support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the DFG initiated a focus funding COVID-19 "Aerosol particles and their dispersion", in the framework of which 15 projects will be funded. Within the scope of the focus funding, the projects are expected to use model systems (e.g. virus-like particles) that can be transferred to SARS-CoV-2, and an interdisciplinary cooperation between engineering and/or life sciences. This scientific network is intended to support interdisciplinary exchange in the "DFG-Fokusförderung" program. Furthermore, the networking should enable the initiation of a DFG priority program for the interdisciplinary investigation of virus-carrying aerosols.