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要作用，但它们的传播动力学和与病毒传染性有关的老化在科学上仍然是未知的。特别是关于呼吸、说话、咳嗽和打喷嚏期间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）的问题，迄今为止在很大程度上仍然没有答案。此外，关于从室内空气中有效去除气溶胶颗粒和气溶胶传播病毒的感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也在很大程度上未被探索。为支持抗击COVID-19疫情，DFG启动了COVID-19“气溶胶颗粒及其扩散”重点资助项目，将资助15个项目。在重点资助的范围内，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，网络应该能够启动DFG优先计划，用于携带病毒的气溶胶的跨学科研究。

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.