Critical Phenomena and Electromagnetic Effects in Biological Membranes.

Abstract

A physical basis is established whereby external electromagnetic fields can interact with biological membranes. The mechanism discussed, based on the membrane residing in a thermodynamic state near critical point, can accommodate very low field strengths. Numerical estimates of field strengths required to drive the membrane system close enough to a critical point, assuming it does not initially reside there, are presented. Keywords: Phase transitions; Electromagnetic radiation; Biophysics; Radiobiology; Membranes(Biology); Humans; Cells(Biology); Radiofrequency; Electromagnetic fields; Critical phenomena; Lipid bilayer; Cooperative effects; Electrofusion; Electroporation; Bioelectromagnetics.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 30, 1987
Accession Number
ADA188156

Entities

People

  • Carol A. Jordan
  • James D. Bond
  • N. C. Wyeth

Organizations

  • Leidos

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Classification
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Electromagnetic Properties
  • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Equations
  • Membrane Lipids
  • Military Research
  • Phase Transformations
  • Radiation
  • Security
  • Transition Temperature
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology