Enriched Aerosol-to-Hydrosol Transfer for Rapid and Continuous Monitoring of Bioaerosols

Bioaerosols, including infectious diseases such as COVID-19, are a continuous threat to global public safety. Despite their importance, the development of a practical, real-time means of monitoring bioaerosols has remained elusive. Here, we present a novel, simple, and highly efficient means of obtaining enriched bioaerosol samples. Aerosols are collected into a thin and stable liquid film by the unique interaction of a superhydrophilic surface and a continuous two-phase centrifugal flow. We demonstrate that this method can provide a concentration enhancement ratio of similar to 2.4 x 10(6) with a collection efficiency of similar to 99.9% and an aerosol-into-liquid transfer rate of similar to 95.9% at 500 nm particle size (smaller than a single bacterium). This transfer is effective in both laboratory and external ambient environments. The system has a low limit of detection of <50 CFU/m(air)(3) using a straightforward bioluminescence-based technique and shows significant potential for air monitoring in occupational and public-health applications.