Electroporation is an emerging biomedical technique that enables non-thermal tissue ablation and enhanced molecular transport through the application of high-voltage pulsed electric fields. To meet the increasing demand for flexible and precise control of waveform parameters such as amplitude, pulse width, frequency, and shape, this paper presents a modular pulse generator architecture featuring dual active bridge (DAB) converters at the front-end and full-bridge converters at the output stage, specifically designed for biomedical applications. Each module integrates its own DAB and H-bridge, providing scalability, galvanic isolation, operational safety, and the capability to generate both conventional and arbitrary high-voltage waveforms. A key advantage of the DAB-based structure is the ability to use a single transformer for both auxiliary and power supplies, enhancing isolation and system robustness. Simulation results confirm the system's ability to modulate voltage rapidly and accurately. A functional prototype consisting of three modules was built and experimentally validated using high-power electronic loads. The prototype provides output voltages up to ±4800 V with minimum pulse widths of 500 ns and output currents up to 100 A. Future work will focus on validation using in vitro biological models and ex vivo testing on plant and animal tissues.

This special issue covers numerous challenges of growing relevance in the domain of human-system cooperation in automated driving. Nine articles out of 21 submissions were accepted for publication ...

To draw a comprehensive and cohesive understanding of human–vehicle cooperation in automated driving, a review is made on key studies in human–robot interaction and human factors. Throughout this article, insight is provided into how human drivers and vehicle systems interplay and influence each other. The limitations of technology-centered taxonomies of automation are discussed and the benefits of accounting for human agents are examined. The contributions of machine learning to automated driving and how critical models in human-system cooperation can inform the design of a more symbiotic relationship between driver and vehicle are investigated. Challenges in the human element to enable the safe introduction of road automation are also discussed. Particularly, the unintended consequences of vehicle automation on driver’s workload, situation awareness and trust are examined, and the social interactions between driver, vehicle, and other road users are investigated. This review will help professionals shape future directions for safer and more efficient and effective human–vehicle cooperation.

Manuals were designed to provide support and information about the usage and maintenance of the vehicle. In many cases user's manuals are the driver's only guidance. However, lack of clarity and efficiency of manuals lead to user dissatisfaction. In vehicles this problem is even more crucial given that driving a motor vehicle is, for many people, the most complex and potentially dangerous task they will perform during their lifetime. In this paper we present a voice interfaced driver manual that can potentially fix the deficiencies of its alternatives. In addition we aim to provide a case for the integration of such technology in a vehicle to reduce driver distraction, increase driver satisfaction, and manual usability, while also benefiting Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in lowering costs and reducing the documentation process.