| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/C517490/1 |
| Title: |
A Study Of RF SAR Rates In The Human Head Due To Cellular Enabled Personal Data Assistants, Spectacles and Jewellery |
| Principal Investigator: |
Edwards, Dr RM |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Electronic, Electrical & Systems Enginee |
| Organisation: |
Loughborough University |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
27 June 2005 |
Ends: |
26 September 2007 |
Value (£): |
195,250
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Development (Biosciences) |
Electronic Devices & Subsys. |
| RF & Microwave Technology |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The aim of this project is to investigate interactions between metallic objects, for example spectacles and jewellery worn close to the face and, mobile telephone personnel data assistant (PDA) type devices held in the hand in front of the face. This research will make use of Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) models developed at Sheffield and previously used to investigate electromagnetic wave interactions with biological material. The models themselves use data gained from magnetic resonance image scans of human heads to represent the electrical properties of the twenty or so significant tissue types including for example eye, brain, blood and bone. A second and complementary aim is to gain insight into the physics of interactions between jewellery for example earrings, metal bars and studs, electric and magnetic fields produced by cellular communications handsets and the biological matters in and around the skull.It will also be helpful to further make progress on representative measurement techniques to gather data on where precisely in the head energy is being absorbed and in what proportions. Since overall levels are in general low particular emphasis will be placed on discovering local peak levels in both space and time and any periodicity thereof.The study of interactions between biological material and the energy generated by personal communications handsets is currently topical. It is highly probable that a greater proportion of future devices will have larger screens than current mobile phones and be held away from but in front the face rather than close to the ear. In 2000 the University of Sheffield created a centre for mobile communications research between the departments of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and this is where the work at Sheffield will take place.The research at Sheffield will be supervised by Dr Rob Edwards. An independent 3D Finite Difference Time Domain model with Perfectly Matched Layer (PML), geometrically graded, absorbing boundary conditions used to terminate the grid will be used to gather results from simulation.At Loughborough Professor Yiannis Vardaxoglou will supervise the research. This will allow the project to make use of state of the art measurement facilities for SAR thereby enhancing validation.The first year of the project will involve the identification of commonly worn metallic structures that at frequencies used the personal communications devices cause energy absorption to be heightened in sensitive areas of the head. Genetic algorithms used in combination with the above code and anatomically correct electrical property tissue data is the method proposed to search out likely combinations of interest. Such results will be corroborated by measurement.In parallel with the above activity, Loughborough University will develop an enhancement to the EPSRC funded SAR measurement equipment for improved measurement in the facial region. The second year of the programme will consolidate upon the first by further developing the analytical methods and establishing representative measurement techniques to corroborate findings. Such results will of course be using when considering the choice of further standards.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.lboro.ac.uk |