Bioelectrics is a new field of research that studies the effects of massive electric jolts to the body for therapeutic purposes. It depends on a combination of high-voltage engineering and cell biology. The new field relies specifically on advanced pulsed power technology, which is the ability to switch on and off thousands of amperes of electric current and volts in nanoseconds. The use of high voltage and currents to alter the interior structures of cells began in 2001, but it represents a rapidly growing international research effort. The largest developmental initiative is supported by the United States Air Force Office of Scientific Research. The program supports the work of several universities nationwide. Both biologists and engineers are interested in the technology. Biologists see a potential scientific advance in electrical probes that will aid in the understanding of basic biological processes. Engineers see the technology as a chance to create a new use for pulsed power outside the military. The most practical and promising result of the research to date is the discovery that some pulsed electric fields can destroy skin tumors in mice. For example, a few hundred pulses totaling 120 microseconds of treatment resulting in shrinking melanoma tumors by 90 percent. A second treatment destroyed the tumors altogether. It will be several years before scientists know whether bioelectrics can be used on humans, however.