Abstract: A system and method for providing pulsed power to improve performance efficiency. In one approach, pulsed power is employed to improve fuel efficiency and power of an engine. The system and method can involve a transient plasma plug assembly intended to replace a traditional spark plug. Alternatively, an approach involving a pulse generator and a nanosecond, high voltage pulse carrying ignition cable is contemplated.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating food must, such as grape must, may include a food must chamber configured to apply an electric pulse to the food must in a manner that causes an electric field to be generated within the food must. A pulse generator may be configured to deliver an electric pulse to the chamber that has a pulse width of between 10 and 100 nanoseconds. The chamber and the pulse generator may be configured such that they cause the electric field that is generated within the food must to be at least 1 kV/cm.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating food must, such as grape must, may include a food must chamber configured to apply an electric pulse to the food must in a manner that causes an electric field to be generated within the food must. A pulse generator may be configured to deliver an electric pulse to the chamber that has a pulse width of between 10 and 100 nanoseconds. The chamber and the pulse generator may be configured such that they cause the electric field that is generated within the food must to be at least 1 kV/cm.

Abstract: A pulse generator circuit may include a diode configured to operate as an opening switch, a tank circuit in series with the diode having an admittance that is switchable from a first value to a second value that is different from the first value, and a switching system configured to cause the tank circuit to switch between the first value and the second value. The diode may saturate in less than 100 nanoseconds. A saturable core transformer may operate as a switch that controls the opening of the diode. The pulse generator may generate a plurality of pulses, each having a length of no more than 3 nanoseconds and an amplitude of at least 1 kilovolt. Electrodes may be connected to the pulse generator to deliver the plurality of pulses to biological cells.

Abstract: The present invention is related to methods in which an electric field pulse is applied to cells and tissue. Several embodiments of the present invention relate to the application of electric field pulses to cells to regulate the physiology and biophysical properties of various cell types, including terminally differentiated and rapidly dividing cells. Methods of regulating transcription of a gene in a cell, marking a cell for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, determining cellular tolerance to electroperturbation, selectively electroperturbing a population of cells, reducing proliferation of rapidly dividing cells in a patient, and facilitating entry of a diagnostic or therapeutic agent into a cell's intracellular structures are also provided.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein includes a low pressure, light initiated, glow discharge switch for high power application. The switch is comprised of an insulating envelope formed into a cylindrical shape having conductive plates at each end. Contained within the envelope is a cathode cup and an anode cup. Each of the cups has a plate at one end which defines two central apertures. The central apertures are positioned opposite one another a short distance apart and centrally axially aligned. A quartz window at the lower end of the cathode cup defines a visual opening to allow unfocused high energy electromagnetic radiation (UV light) to be shined upon the back side of the cathode plate. When UV light is presented to the back of the cathode plate, a photoemissive mechanism is initiated which causes an avalanche effect in the gas-filled chamber of the switch which leads to the discharge of current across the gap between the anode and cathode allowing the switch to close.