M. Ianoz; "Biological effects of electromagnetic fields"

In the last twenty years, the widespread use of sensitive electronic devices has increased the interest on transients, in particular those caused by lightning (direct and/or indirect). This tutorial presents the latest developments in modelling the electromagnetic (indirect) effects of lightning. The progress in

field-to-transmission lines coupling calculations for networks permits the analysis of more complicated structures submitted to a lightning electromagnetic field. In parallel, it has been observed that the lightning current parameters obtained from measurements of real lightning strokes is polluted by the measurement arrangement and that a data decontamination is needed. Approximations using low frequency coupling expressions which neglect the propagation in the case of complicated circuits but with small dimensions will also be discussed. Such approaches can give approximative solutions and orders of magnitude helpful for a correct EMC design for very complex configurations like for instance control and protection circuits in power network substations,

THIS LECTURE IS A REVIEW OF THE PROGRESS ACHIEVED IN THE LAST 15 YEARS ON THIS SUBJECT IN WHICH MY GROUP OF RESEARCH HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN A COLLABORATION WITH TWO ITALIAN UNIVERSITIES, WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO. THE EXPERIMENTAL INSTALLATIONS OF TRIGGERED LIGHTNING IN FLORIDA AND THE CAPTURE OF NATURAL LIGHTNING ON THE TELECOMMUNICATION TOWER IN TORONTO WILL BE PRESENTED.

Biological effects of electromagnetic fields

The lecture discusses the sources of electromagnetic fields which are of concern for the population : power lines and mobile communications (phones and antennas). It presents measured biological effects of electric and magnetic fields (low frequency and high frequency) and it discusses possible effects on health.

A research program initiated in 1997 at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Lausanne, Switzerland to study the effects of low frequency magnetic fields on very simple vegetable structures (mosses) and high frequency effects on more complicated organisms like nematodes will be discussed. A method based on fractals to evaluate the effects will be presented.

THIS LECTURE ADDRESSES A LARGE PUBLIC OF ENGINEERS, PHYSISISTS, PERSONS CONCERNED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS DUE TO ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS.

 OCTOBER 04, 2004, 14:00-15:30, FENS G032