Pulsed Electric Fields for Biological Weapons Defense

Abstract

The project has demonstrated that ultra-short, high-field pulses are a useful tool for study of cellular responses. The research has established that intracellular effects including apoptosis can be induced by the application of short, intense (but low total energy) electric pulses, and has seen variability in cell response. Experiments on human cells have produced convincing evidence that these applied fields nondestructively alter subcellular processes and can be investigated using biophotonic studies for imaging of morphological and functional changes at subcellular levels. In particular, it is clear that there are a range of responses to intense, ultra-short pulses, and that many lines of spores and cells require study. Technology for the application of pulses has been developed, and results of studies of toxicity have been undertaken, including detailed studies of Bacillus atrophaeus (formerly Bacillus subtilis var. niger).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA435273

Entities

People

  • Martin A. Gundersen

Organizations

  • University of Southern California

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Apoptosis
  • Biological Weapons
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Electric Fields
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Engineering
  • Frequency
  • Generators
  • Lymphocytes
  • Microelectromechanical Systems
  • Pulsed Power
  • Repetition Rate
  • Spores
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Cellular and Molecular Pathways of Apoptosis.
  • Military/Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technology
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.