Development of a numerical model connecting electromagnetism, thermal and hydrodynamics to analyse in vitro exposure system

Abstract

For bioelectromagnetic studies, a complete dosimetry is essential for optimised experiments and for analysis of the biological results. In this paper, we focused on the numerical dosimetry based on electromagnetic, thermal and convection simulations. The finite difference time domain (FDTD) method is used to obtain electromagnetic fields and specific absorption rate (SAR) distributions. Often metallic losses exist and cannot be neglected, and they are considered with SAR spatial distribution to evaluate temperature elevation. Time-scaled algorithms of heat transfer equation and incompressible Navier–Stokes equations applied to in vitro bioelectromagnetic studies are presented. For hydrodynamic thermal convection, the biological medium density has to be considered variable and the heat masses can move. Two different in vitro exposure systems are presented. A test tube with high temperature gradient induced in the biological medium is studied and illustrate convection phenomena. A wire patch cell with metallic elements highlights the role of metallic losses in the increase of temperature.