Justin Wilkerson, assistant professor in the J. Mike Walker 66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, in collaboration with scientists at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and the Air Force Research Laboratory, started examining the results of high-powered pulsed microwaves on the human body. The majority of frequently used for quick cooking, microwaves are a type of electro-magnetic radiation that fall between radio and infrared light on the electromagnetic spectrum.
Using computational modeling, the teams two-simulation approach first determines the particular absorption rate (SAR) of planar electro-magnetic waves on a 3D design of a body. The SAR values are then utilized to compute changes in temperature level throughout the head and brain. Those temperature changes are then utilized to identify how the brain tissue physically alters in response to the high-intensity microwaves.
” The microwave heating triggers spatially varying, fast thermal expansion, which then causes mechanical waves that propagate through the brain, like ripples in a pond,” Wilkerson stated. “We discovered that if those waves communicate in simply the ideal way at the center of the brain, the conditions are perfect to induce a traumatic brain injury.”
Published in the journal Science Advances, Wilkersons research study exposed that when applying a little temperature increase over a really brief amount of time (split seconds), potentially injurious stress waves are created. Envision all of the microwave energy needed to pop a bag of popcorn condensed into one-millionth of a 2nd and after that directed at the brain.
However, theres no need to fret about everyday exposure to microwaves or radiofrequency levels. Wilkersons study consisted of magnitudes of power far greater than anything the typical human will be exposed to.
” Although the necessary power densities at work here are orders of magnitude bigger than most real-world direct exposure conditions, they can be accomplished with gadgets indicated to emit high-power electromagnetic pulses in military and research study applications,” Wilkerson stated.
Wilkerson and the group utilized limited aspect simulations as part of their computational modeling– the same models that have actually been used to predict terrible brain injury in cars and truck crashes, football effects, and even explosive blasts on the battlefield. By using it to a brand-new energy deposition, the microwave, Wilkerson has actually opened the door for more research to be carried out on the interactions between the biological body and electromagnetic fields and its applications.
Reference: “Computational modeling investigation of pulsed high peak power microwaves and the potential for distressing brain injury” by Amy M. Dagro, Justin W. Wilkerson, Thaddeus P. Thomas, Benjamin T. Kalinosky and Jason A. Payne, 29 October 2021, Science Advances.DOI: 10.1126/ sciadv.abd8405.
Microwave are safe and do not trigger cancer, however direct exposure to specific incredibly high-powered microwave and radio frequencies might result in high stresses within the brain.
Texas A&M research study findings could alter the method we see directed energy and traumatic brain injuries.
Contrary to what was as soon as popular belief, microwave ovens dont cause cancer. Its a decades-old issue that might evoke a picture of a kid standing in front of a microwave, peering through the dimly-lit door, just to be told to take a few steps back or they might be sickened by a mysterious illness or worse– radiation poisoning.
Microwaves are now known to be safe, efficient, and effective thanks to improvements in science, engineering, and innovation. However, recent research from Texas A&M University exposes that exposure to certain very high-powered microwave and radio frequencies may lead to high tensions within the brain.