This unique book provides excellent examples of ongoing, leading-edge research related to viruses, especially COVID-19. It is written from the viewpoint of various scientific fields including materials science. It introduces and describes viruses (submicroscopic infectious agents that replicate inside the living cells of an organism), various infections caused by viruses (human to human, human to other organisms to humans, humans to materials to humans, etc.), not only from the viewpoint of medical research but also from other scientific disciplines. A major focus of the book is the COVID-19 virus. Highlighted topics include the evolution of COVID-19, transmission of virus particles through the air, virus spread through various materials, detection of the virus by testing wastewater, the development and testing of vaccines and therapeutic drugs, and the preparation for future viruses and pandemics. This includes reform in funeral services to properly and safely accommodate very large numbers of bodies in a pandemic, like those seen in New York City when it was the epicenter for the virus in the United States. This book serves as an excellent and very informative guide (practical book) for engineers and researchers of various backgrounds and as a great academic textbook.weiterlesen