The UNIROMA1 engineering group is working on the fine characterisation of exposure systems for biological experiments. Accurate knowledge of the electromagnetic systems to be used and the induced dose are crucial for biological investigations in GOLIAT.
Two measurement days were organised at the R&S headquarters in Rome, where a course on the operation of the R&S signal generator purchased by the research group for the GOLIAT project was held. These measurement days are part of work package 3 (WP3: Exposure setup and dosimetry), whose overall objective is to build adequate and well-characterised setups for in vitro, in vivo, and human experiments on 5G exposure.
Here the measurements are related to the characterization of real-time system for acquisition of electrophysiological recordings from cells. UNIROMA1 engineers are using sophisticated instrumentation to acquire this knowledge, which will allow biological experiments to start soon!
The process began with the assembly of the entire exposure system. The validation of the exposure system is a fundamental step to proceed with real-time electrophysiology experiments.
Exposure system for biological experiments: 5G signal generator, two spectrum analysers, the exposure system an infrared thermocamera
The first day of measurements mainly involved setting up the workbench, consisting of a 5G signal generator, which allows for signal generation at 5G frequencies, spectrum analysers for simultaneous and real-time measurement of the powers involved in the exposed system, a coplanar waveguide (CPW) structure, and a thermal camera for detecting temperature changes associated with exposure.
Setting up the instruments for the exposure of the petri dish and the power evaluation.
On the second day, we carried out an investigation on Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) values. The SAR value was evaluated on a sample of saline solution inserted in a Petri dish. SAR values were obtained both through in silico experiments and thermal camera measurements. The Petri dish was carefully positioned on the CPW in optimised positions based on numerical evaluations.
Fine positioning of the Petri dish on the CPW according to the simulation results.
The same measurements were repeated to obtain even more accurate results by evaluating the temperature variation using fiber optic temperature probes. The probes allowed us to accurately measure the temperature inside the sample.
Exposure system set up at UNIROMA1 lab.
Detail of the fibre optic temperature probe placement.
The UNIROMA 1 Group. From left to right: Dr Luca Bellosono, PhD students Carmen Pisano and Noemi Dolciotti, Professors Francesca Apollonio and Alessandra Paffi.
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