A numerical coefficient for evaluation of the environmental impact of electromagnetic fields radiated by base stations for mobile communications

The aim of this study is the development of an Electromagnetic Environmental Impact Factor (EEIF). This is a global parameter that represents the level of electromagnetic impact on a specific area due to the presence of radiating systems, such as base station (BS) antennas for mobile communications. The numerical value of the EEIF depends only on the electromagnetic field intensity, a well‐defined physical quantity that can easily be measured or computed. The paper describes the significant parameters of the field distribution adopted to evaluate the EEIF, and the assumptions used to develop a proper scale of values. Finally, some examples of application of the EEIF method are analyzed for real situations in a typical urban area. Bioelectromagnetics 31:613–621, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

A multichannel implantable telemetry system for flow, pressure, and ECG measurements.

The design of telemetry systems for chronic implantation within the body have progressed from simple single-channel devices to complex multichannel systems over the last 15 yr. Although chronic measurements of temperature, ECG, and pressure have been reported with good results, measurements such as dimension and blood flow have been difficult because of heavy power requirements. The design to be described is a multiplex system that will measure up to eight individual parameters simultaneously, including blood flow. Flow is measured using an electromagnetic transducer, and by special design, the normal high power requirements of the electromagnetic technique have been reduced to a few hundred milliwatts. The system is powered by two NiCad, rechargeable batteries which are periodically recharged through the intact skin by induction at 250 kHz to an implanted pickup coil. The presently constructed units have been configured to measure ECG, two pressures, temperature and ascending aortic flow.     

Growth characteristics of mung beans and water convolvuluses exposed to 425‐MHz electromagnetic fields

Effects of high‐frequency, continuous wave (CW) electromagnetic fields on mung beans (Vigna radiata L.) and water convovuluses (Ipomoea aquatica Forssk.) were studied at different growth stages (pre‐sown seed and early seedling). Specifically, the effects of the electromagnetic source's power and duration (defined as power‐duration level) on the growth of the two species were studied. Mung beans and water convolvuluses were exposed to electromagnetic fields inside a specially designed chamber for optimum field absorption, and the responses of the seeds to a constant frequency at various power levels and durations of exposure were monitored. The frequency used in the experiments was 425 MHz, the field strengths were 1 mW, 100 mW, and 10 W, and the exposure durations were 1, 2, and 4 h. Results show that germination enhancement is optimum for the mung beans at 100 mW/1 h power‐duration level, while for water convolvuluses the optimum germination power‐duration level was 1 mW/2 h. When both seed types were exposed at the early sprouting phase with their respective optimum power‐duration levels for optimum seed growth, water convolvuluses showed growth enhancement while mung bean sprouts showed no effects. Water content analysis of the seeds suggests thermal effects only at higher field strength. Bioelectromagnetics 31:519–527, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Design,implementation, and dosimetry analysis of an S‐band waveguide in vitro system for the exposure of cell culture samples to pulsed fields

The interaction between electromagnetic fields and biological media, particularly regarding very high power, short pulses as in radar signals, is not a fully understood phenomenon. In the past few years, many in vitro, cellular communications‐oriented exposure studies have been carried out. This article presents a high‐power waveguide exposure system capable of dealing with monochromatic, multicarrier or pulsed signals between 1.8 and 3.2 GHz (L‐ and S‐band) with a pulse duration as low as 90 ns, minimum pulse repetition of 100 Hz, and maximum instantaneous power of 100 W. The setup is currently being used with a 2.2 GHz carrier modulated by 5 µs pulses with a 100 Hz repetition period and approximately 30 W of instantaneous power. After a worst‐case temperature analysis, which does not account for conduction and convection thermal effects, the experiment's exposure is considered sub‐thermal. Evaluation of the results through the specific absorption rate distribution is not considered sufficient enough in these cases. An electromagnetic field distribution analysis is needed. For monochromatic signals, the representation of the modulus of the electric and magnetic field components is proposed as a suitable method of assessment. Bioelectromagnetics 31:479–487, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Bio-Inspired Electromagnetic Protection Based on Neural Information Processing

Electronic systems are vulnerable in electromagnetic interference environment. Although many solutions are adopted to solve this problem, for example shielding, filtering and grounding, noise is still introduced into the circuit inevitably. What impresses us is the biological nervous system with a vital property of robustness in noisy environment. Some mechanisms, such as neuron population coding, degeneracy and parallel distributed processing, are believed to partly explain how the nervous system counters the noise and component failure. This paper proposes a novel concept of bio-inspired electromagnetic protec- tion making reference to the characteristic of neural information processing. A bionic model is presented here to mimic neuron populations to transform the input signal into neural pulse signal. In the proposed model, neuron provides a dynamic feedback to the adjacent one according to the concept of synaptic plasticity. A simple neural circuitry is designed to verify the rationality of the bio-inspired model for electromagnetic protection. The experiment results display that bio-inspired electromagnetic pro- tection model has more power to counter the interference and component failure.     

Thermoelastic excitation of acoustic waves in biological models under the effect of the high peak-power pulsed electromagnetic radiation of extremely high frequency

The capability of high peak-power pulsed electromagnetic radiation of extremely high frequency (35,27 GHz, pulse widths of 100 and 600 ns, peak power of 20 kW) to excite acoustic waves in model water-containing objects and muscular tissue of animals has been experimentally shown for the first time. The amplitude and duration of excited acoustic pulses are within the limits of accuracy of theoretical assessments and have a complex nonlinear dependence on the energy input of electromagnetic radiation supplied. The velocity of propagation of acoustic pulses in water-containing models and isolated muscular tissue of animals was close to the reference data. The excitation of acoustic waves in biological systems under the action of high peak-power pulsed electromagnetic radiation of extremely high frequency is the important phenomenon, which essentially contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms of biological effects of these electromagnetic fields.     

Human performance and physiology: A statistical power analysis of ELF electromagnetic field research

Research examining the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on human performance and physiology has produced inconsistent results; this might be attributable to low statistical power. Statistical power refers to the probability of obtaining a statistically significant result, given the fact that a real effect exists. The results of a survey of published investigations of the effects of EMFs on human performance and physiology show that statistical power levels are very low, ranging from a mean of.08 for small effect sizes to .46 for large effect sizes. Implications of these findings for the interpretation of results are discussed along with suggestions for increasing statistical power. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Instrumented hip implants: Electric supply systems

Instrumented hip implants were proposed as a method to monitor and predict the biomechanical and thermal environment surrounding such implants. Nowadays, they are being developed as active implants with the ability to prevent failures by loosening. The generation of electric energy to power active mechanisms of instrumented hip implants remains a question. Instrumented implants cannot be implemented without effective electric power systems. This paper surveys the power supply systems of seventeen implant architectures already implanted in-vivo, namely from instrumented hip joint replacements and instrumented fracture stabilizers. Only inductive power links and batteries were used in-vivo to power the implants. The energy harvesting systems, which were already designed to power instrumented hip implants, were also analyzed focusing their potential to overcome the disadvantages of both inductive-based and battery-based power supply systems. From comparative and critical analyses of the methods to power instrumented implants, one can conclude that: inductive powering and batteries constrain the full operation of instrumented implants; motion-driven electromagnetic energy harvesting is a promising method to power instrumented passive and active hip implants.     

Complicated Wavefront Shaping of Surface Plasmon Polaritons on Metal Surface by Holographic Groove Patterns

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) manipulation on metal surfaces is important for constructing ultracompact integrated micro/nano-optical devices and systems. We employ the methodology of surface electromagnetic wave holography (SWH) to design holographic groove patterns for controlling SPPs with complicated wavefronts traveling on metal surface. SPPs are scattered by these deli groove patterns and interfere with each other to form desired SPP wavefronts. Several devices are demonstrated to control the intensities and phases of SPPs, such as focusing a plane SPP or diverging SPPs to two points with different phases, and focusing SPPs with complicated beam profile to a point. The finite-difference time-domain simulations show that in all cases, the predesignated functionalities are fully achieved by the designed plasmonic holographic structures. The results strongly support the power of SWH for shaping the complicated wavefront of in-plane transporting SPPs.     

Acoustic detection of absorption of millimeter-band electromagnetic waves in biological objects

Principles of photoacoustic spectroscopy were applied to elaborate a new method for controlling millimeter electromagnetic waves absorption in biological objects. The method was used in investigations of frequency dependence of millimeter wave power absorption in vitro and in vivo in the commonly used experimental irradiation systems.     

Induction of micronuclei in human lymphocytes exposed in vitro to microwave radiation

Increasing applications of electromagnetic fields are of great concern with regard to public health. Several in vitro studies have been conducted to detect effects of microwave exposure on the genetic material leading to negative or questionable results. The micronucleus (MN) assay which is proved to be a useful tool for the detection of radiation exposure-induced cytogenetic damage was used in the present study to investigate the genotoxic effect of microwaves in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro exposed in G(0) to electromagnetic fields with different frequencies (2.45 and 7.7GHz) and power density (10, 20 and 30mW/cm(2)) for three times (15, 30 and 60min). The results showed for both radiation frequencies an induction of micronuclei as compared to the control cultures at a power density of 30mW/cm(2) and after an exposure of 30 and 60min. Our study would indicate that microwaves are able to cause cytogenetic damage in human lymphocytes mainly for both high power density and long exposure time.     

Study of bioeffects of ship-borne microwave navigation radar in chronic experiments

The influence of microwaves, generated by navigation radars, on the animals' behavior, their antioxidant and reproductive systems were studied. It was found that the exposure to power of 1000 (microW/cm2)h exceeded the threshold of harmful action of electromagnetic radiation.     

Effect of modified SHF and acoustic stimulation on spectral characteristics of the electroencephalograms of the cat brain

The effect of modulated electromagnetic fields on the spectral parameters of bioelectric brain activity in awake cats was studied by registering the electroencephalogram from the skin surface in the vertex area using carbon electrodes. In the normal electroencephalogram, spectral components in the range above 20 Hz predominated. It was shown that, upon irradiation with electromagnetic field (basic frequency 980 MHz, power density 30-50 microW/cm2), spectral components in the range of 12-18 Hz begin to prevail. A similarity in the redistribution of the power of spectral components upon both acoustic and modulated electromagnetic influences was revealed. The results suggest that there is a a common neurophysiological mechanism by which modulated electromagnetic radiation and acoustic stimulation affect the electrical activity of the brain. This ia consistent with the assumption that the effect of the electromagnetic field on the central nervous system is mediated through the acoustic sensory system.     

Energy Harvesting Technologies for Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

Tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) are becoming increasingly important to ensure safe and efficient use of tires in the automotive sector. A typical TPMS system consists of a battery powered wireless sensor, as part of the tire, and a remote receiver to collect sensor data, such as pressure and temperature. In order to provide a maintenance‐free and battery‐less sensor solution there is growing interest in using energy harvesting technologies to provide power for TPMS. This paper summarizes the current literature and discusses the use of piezoelectric, electromagnetic, electret and triboelectric materials in a variety of harvesting systems.     

Electromagnetic heating of tissue-equivalent phantoms with thin,insulating partitions

The electromagnetic power absorption in tissue-equivalent phantoms that are used for evaluation of diathermy and hyperthermia applicators is analyzed for the purpose of determining the effect of an insulating partition that is frequently used to facilitate separation of the phantom for thermographic analysis of heating distributions. An analysis that is based on the plane wave spectrum decomposition of the electromagnetic field is applied to a simplified model of the medium. The simplified model is valid whenever the insulating partition does not significantly alter the fields in the medium. The curves that are presented indicate that thin partitions do not significantly alter the power absorption for most situations of therapeutic interest. Data on the effects of partition thickness and electrical parameters are presented for microwave and radiofrequencies of interest for diathermy and hyperthermia.     

Power frequency fields promote cell differentiation coincident with an increase in transforming growth factor-beta(1) expression.

Recent information from several laboratories suggest that power frequency fields may stimulate cell differentiation in a number of model systems. In this way, they may be similar to pulsed electromagnetic fields, which have been used therapeutically. However, the effects of power frequency fields on phenotypic or genotypic expression have not been explained. This study describes the ability of power frequency fields to accelerate cell differentiation in vivo and describes dose relationships in terms of both amplitude and exposure duration. No change in proliferation or cell content were observed. A clear dose relationship, in terms of both amplitude and duration of exposure, was determined with the maximal biological response occurring at 0.1 mT and 7-9 h/day. Because this study was designed to explore biological activity at environmental exposure levels, this exposure range does not necessarily define optimal dosing conditions from the therapeutic point of view. This study reports the stimulation by power frequency fields of transforming growth factor-beta, an important signalling cytokine known to regulate cell differentiation. The hypothesis is raised that the stimulation of regulatory cytokines by electromagnetic fields may be an intermediary mechanism by which these fields have their biological activity.     

Evaluation and characterization of fetal exposures to low frequency magnetic fields generated by laptop computers

Portable – or “laptop” – computers (LCs) are widely and increasingly used all over the world. Since LCs are often used in tight contact with the body even by pregnant women, fetal exposures to low frequency magnetic fields generated by these units can occur. LC emissions are usually characterized by complex waveforms and are often generated by the main AC power supply (when connected) and by the display power supply sub-system.In the present study, low frequency magnetic field emissions were measured for a set of five models of portable computers. For each of them, the magnetic flux density was characterized in terms not just of field amplitude, but also of the so called “weighted peak” (WP) index, introduced in the 2003 ICNIRP Statement on complex waveforms and confirmed in the 2010 ICNIRP Guidelines for low frequency fields. For the model of LC presenting the higher emission, a deeper analysis was also carried out, using numerical dosimetry techniques to calculate internal quantities (current density and in-situ electric field) with reference to a digital body model of a pregnant woman. Since internal quantities have complex waveforms too, the concept of WP index was extended to them, considering the ICNIRP basic restrictions defined in the 1998 Guidelines for the current density and in the 2010 Guidelines for the in-situ electric field. Induced quantities and WP indexes were computed using an appropriate original formulation of the well known Scalar Potential Finite Difference (SPFD) numerical method for electromagnetic dosimetry in quasi-static conditions.     

NUCLEAR-FUELED CIRCULATORY SUPPORT SYSTEMS IV: RADIOLOGIC PERSPECTIVES

If an implantable artificial heart can be developed, it should prove beneficial to a significant group of patients. A variety of energy sources, such as biologic, electromagnetic, and nuclear, are under evaluation. Currently, biologic fuel cell technology is not sufficiently advanced to permit its extrapolation to the power levels required for implantable circulatory support systems. Electromagnetic systems have the disadvantage of heavy batteries of considerable bulk requiring frequent recharging. Radioisotope-fueled thermal engine systems have the potential of providing degrees of freedom not possible with rechargeable units. However, radiosotope circulatory support systems subject their recipients to prolonged intracorporeal radiation, add to environmental background radiation, and constitute an exceedingly small, but finite, hazard due to possible violation of fuel containment.     

Numerical analysis of a microwave torch with axial gas injection

The characteristics of a microwave discharge in an argon jet injected axially into a coaxial channel with a shortened inner electrode are numerically analyzed using a self-consistent equilibrium gas-dynamic model. The specific features of the excitation and maintenance of the microwave discharge are determined, and the dependences of the discharge characteristics on the supplied electromagnetic power and gas flow rate are obtained. The calculated results are compared with experimental data.