Direct monitoring of the field strength during electropulsation

The field strength which is applied on the sample during electropulsation can be affected by electrochemical process at the level of the electrodes. A previous study [U. Pliquett, E.A. Gift, J.C. Weaver, Determination of the electric field and anomalous heating caused by exponential pulses with aluminium electrodes in electropulsation experiments, Bioelectrochemistry and Bioenergetics Vol. 39 (1996) pp. 39-53] showed that post pulse effects were present. The present work investigates the magnitude of the field by following at a submillisecond time resolution its associated sample Joule heating. When using stainless steel electrodes, the field present on the sample is what is set on the pulse generator. Problems are present with aluminium cuvettes. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A, All rights reserved.