Abstract

Overview

A novel exposure facility has been designed for the purpose of conducting in vitro experiments utilizing future 5G mobile communication technologies among others, covering frequency ranges from 18 to 40.5 GHz. This facility is instrumental for cutting-edge research in cellular responses to electromagnetic fields.

Findings

• Apparatus supports specific frequencies of 27 and 40.5 GHz using 60 mm petri dishes for experiments on human dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes.
• Facility offers a well-defined, random, and blinded modulation between actual exposure and sham exposure scenarios.
• Enables monitoring of sample temperature throughout exposure without necessitating significant changes to standard in vitro procedures.
• Records mean specific absorption rates (SAR) of 115 W/kg at 27 GHz and 160 W/kg at 40.5 GHz per watt of antenna input power.
• Transmitted power density (St) values recorded at 65 W/m2 at 27 GHz and 70 W/m2 at 40.5 GHz, respectively.
• Variation of SAR and St across the cell monolayer stays within 3.7 dB for 27 GHz and 3.0 dB for 40.5 GHz, ensuring minimal deviation hence potential implications for uniformity in results.

Conclusion

The facility's capabilities in detailed dosimetric characterization offer significant insights into the interaction of electromagnetic fields with biological tissues, which is crucial given the proliferation of EMF sources such as 5G technologies. The potential health implications from exposure at these levels and frequencies demand further investigation.