Guest editorial: special issue on nonthermal medical/biological applications using ionized gases and electromagnetic fields

Introduction: The fascination of men with the interaction between electricity and biological systems can be traced back to Egyptian hieroglyphs dated in 4000 BC that describe biological electricity in catfish. In the modern era, active exploration of beneficial bioelectrical effects has witnessed a substantial increase in research activities and interests over the past three decades. This period of considerable growth is underpinned by major advances in the technologies of low-temperature ionized gases, ultrashort intense electrical pulses, and highfrequency electromagnetic waves. As a result, ionized gases and electromagnetic fields are widely and increasingly studied for their applications in medicine and biology, for example, biological decontamination, tissue engineering, environment management, cell manipulation, and tumor growth control. It is conceivable that ionized gases and electromagnetic fields will ultimately bring some applications to reality and offer real and widespread healthcare solutions. This Special Issue offers a snapshot of the current understanding and technological capabilities, as well as a reference point for future research directions.