The device filters the air of harmful bacteria by killing them on contact with the titanium dioxide coated glass (which is illuminated with an ultraviolet light to create the ZAPPING power). The savvy technology designed by the European Laboratory for Catalysis and Surface Sciences in Strasbourg, creates a fibrous network of glass inside the device which vastly increases the surface area for the bugs to interact with the titanium dioxide. With possible uses in confined environments, like airplanes, spaceships, submarines, it is a cost effective way to reduce harsh chemical sanitizers or expensive and non-reusable filters. It could also benefit hospitals or other facilities dealing with possible airborne bacteria or biological hazards.

In addition to replacing expensive filtering, this device improves upon existing ‘ultraviolet light’ techniques by requiring much less power then conventional ultraviolet decontamination devices. And if all that isn't enough, Valérie Keller (one of the developers of the technology) wins a TH thumbs up for future plans to make the device run on good old fashion sun light. ::Nature News [by T. McGee]