Bioelectrics-new applications for pulsed power technology

Electric phenomena play an important role in biophysics. Bioelectric processes control the ion transport processes across membranes, and are the basis for information transfer along neurons. These electrical effects are generally triggered by chemical processes. However, it is also possible to control such cell functions and transport processes by applying pulsed electric fields. This area of bioengineering, bioelectrics, offers new applications for pulsed power technology. One such application is prevention of biofouling, an effect that is based on reversible electroporation of cell membranes. Pulsed electric fields of several kV/cm amplitude and submicrosecond duration have been found effective in preventing the growth of aquatic nuisance species on surfaces. Reversible electroporation is also used for medical applications, e.g. for delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs into tumor cells, for gene therapy, and for transdermal drug delivery. Higher electric fields cause irreversible membrane damage. Pulses in the microsecond range with electric field intensities in the tens of kV/cm are being used for bacterial decontamination of water and liquid food. A new type of field-cell interaction, "Intracellular Electromanipulation", by means of nanosecond pulses at electric fields exceeding 50 kV/cm has been recently added to known bioelectric effects. It is based on capacitive coupling to cell substructures, has therefore the potential to affect transport processes across subcellular membranes, and may be used for gene transfer into cell nuclei. There are also indications that it triggers intracellular processes, such as programmed cell death, an effect, which can be used for cancer treatment. In order to generate the required electric fields for these processes, high voltage, high current sources are required. The pulse duration needs to be short to prevent thermal effects. Pulse power technology is the enabling technology for bioelectrics. The field of bioelectrics, therefore opens up a new research area for pulse power engineers, with fascinating applications in biology and medicine.