An avalanche transistor-based Marx circuit pulse generator with sub-nanosecond, high frequency and high-voltage for pathogenic Escherichia coli ablation

Abstract

Pathogenic Escherichia coli, which will easily cause environmental pollution, is a potentially hazardous microorganism that enters the environment through various routes such as biological feces. The presence of this bacterium poses a serious health risk, especially in water sources. When consuming water containing excessive amounts of pathogenic Escherichia coli, both humans and animals may experience severe health issues, such as diarrhea and gastrointestinal infections. However, current treatment methods for this bacterium are not ideal, and traditional means sometimes struggle to completely eliminate these stubborn microorganisms. In recent years, the scientific community has been exploring new sterilization techniques to address this challenge without causing secondary environmental pollution. Among them, pulsed electric field (PEF) technology has garnered significant attention. By applying high-intensity electric field pulses, PEF technology can have a fatal impact on microbial cells in a very short period of time. Studies have shown that this technology can cause cell membrane perforation, destroying the integrity of the cell and leading to cell death. This method is not only capable of decomposing organic pollutants, but also has a significant bactericidal effect. Nevertheless, despite the theoretical potential of PEF technology, there is still relatively little research on its application, especially in terms of treating pathogenic Escherichia coli. Further studies and experimental verification are needed. This article investigates the bioelectromagnetic effects of electric pulses on pathogenic Escherichia coli in sewage through a self-developed pulse source device (capable of providing a voltage range from 1.7 kV to 2.2 kV, with a rise time of 190 ps and a maximum repetition rate of 20 kHz). The feasibility of using a pulsed electric field to purify water bodies is verified in this report.