Current Research
Plasma Medicine and Agriculture
Atmospheric pressure ionized gases (plasma) have the potential for numerous uses in pathogen remediation, killing or removing bacterial biofilms and viruses from surfaces and in chronic wounds. Our research looks at novel plasma source arrays for these applications through experiment and through simulation for improved healthcare and improved food safety. The highly collaborative research teams engineers with biochemists and biologists to develop the plasma sources and to improve our understanding of the plasma reactive chemistry and its effects on bacteria and viruses. This research is supported by the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and NASA.
Vacuum Electron Devices (VEDs)
Our research concerns Microwave Vacuum Electron Devices (MVEDS) and Nano-Vacuum Transistors (NVTs). High power microwave oscillators and amplifiers are used in a wide variety of civilian, industrial, and military applications where high power density, high frequency, or high reliability are needed. Our research looks at using Gated Field Emission Arrays as the electron source for magnetrons and Crossed-Field Amplifiers in order to improve performance and operational capabilities. This effort includes experiments and simulations including the development of new analysis techniques for use with Particle-In-Cell (PIC) codes. Our research is also looking at the reliability and performance of Nano-Vacuum Transistors for use is harsh environments. Such micro-fabricated devices can be used at very high temperatures (>400C) and in high radiation environments. In collaboration with colleagues at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Purdue University, University of Colorado, and Southern Methodist University, we pursue research funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the Office of Naval research.
Biomedical Engineering
One of Dr. Browing’s specialty areas is biomedical engineering. He’s researching atmospheric pressure ionized gases (CAP) and their potential uses in the treatment of chronic wounds (sponsored by the National Institutes of Health) as well as removing biofilms from food processing surfaces (sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture) and supervises a biomedical engineering doctoral student.
Dr. Browning is also a mentor to biomedical doctoral candidate Michael Okebiorun, who is featured in the video below. Video Transcript.
