Chinese architect Sun Dayong has created a conceptual design for a shield that would protect a wearer during a coronavirus outbreak by using UV light to sterilise itself.
Named Be a Bat Man, the mobile safety device would be for "people who are exposed to the dangerous situation during the coronavirus emergency", said Sun Dayong, who co-founded architecture studio Penda.

The shield would be made from carbon fibre supports shaped like batwings that would be worn like a backpack. A PVC film would stretch between these supports, like the membrane of a bat's wing.
Wires embedded in the plastic would heat up to a temperature high enough to kill any pathogens on them, creating a sterile environment inside for the wearer.

"The coronavirus will be killed by temperatures of 56 degrees Celscius," said Sun Dayong, who is a judge for Dezeen Awards 2020. "The PVC film cover is like our car windshields ? there are heater wire in between the glass for heat the ice and snow in the winter," he told Dezeen.
"But sure we still need to do lot of work with engineers for the real production."

Sun Dayong hopes to find a backer to turn the concept into a reality, and would offer his services as a designer free of charge.
After an epidemic is contained, he thinks the bat-like shields could be upgraded with Google Glass technology, or simply be used as a "unique private mobile space for people".

The project is called Be a Bat Man, in reference...