A new laser device for ultra-rapid and sustainable aerosol sterilization

The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the relevance of aerosol-based infections. This work describes a laser device able to rapidly sterilize aerosol containing infectious viruses and bacteria, including Legionella pneumophila and SARS-CoV-2, when aerosolized by a novel system able to mimic droplet formation during human speech. This is a major advantage over existing devices that either purify incoming air through filters or sterilize solid surfaces, which are not major transmission routes.