Shu Xiao has been involved in the development of compact portable pulsed power. His research has involved the study of the liquid dielectric recovery after electrical breakdown and acceleration of the recovery process in order to improve the repetition rate of high power water switches. He worked on the triggering of high power switches. He also has worked on a variety of bioelectric programs, including using pulse power for wound healing, neuron-muscular research. He is focusing his current research on the development of ultrawideband antennas for delivery of electromagnetic pulses for the diagnostics and treatment of internal tumors
