Preface
The topic of interactions of electromagnetic fields with biological systems is not only
drawing attention from research scientists but also capturing interest from members
of the general public. In the United States, the National Center for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, conducts and
supports research that is generally not considered part of conventional or western medicine. The scope of research conducted by the Center is very broad and includes a group
of diverse medical and health-care practices and treatments. In particular, the institution has provided research support for several projects investigating the therapeutic
effectiveness of electromagnetic energy in the millimeter wavelength (mmW) region.
The use of nonionizing electromagnetic energy (in the mode of fields, waves, or radiation) for medical purposes dates back to the late 1800s. Shortly after Heinrich Hertz’s
confirmation of James C. Maxwell’s prediction of the existence of electromagnetic
waves, Arsene d’Arsonval applied the newly discovered high-frequency (10 kHz) current
on himself and found that it produced warming of muscles without any accompanying
sensation of muscular contraction. Indeed, the application of electromagnetic fields in
biology and medicine has a long and illustrious history of research that continues to this
date. Perhaps the most prominent application today is its use in medicine for magnetic
resonance imaging and spectroscopy.
Moreover, interest in wireless communication and widespread use of wireless communication devices such as cellular mobile telephones have grown significantly all over the
world during the past two decades. As a consequence, for the first time in human history
a source of electromagnetic radiation has come to be located right next to the head or the
body. This trend will likely continue and it promises to expand at a greater rate in the near
future. Almost all human beings will soon become immersed a vast milieu of electromagnetic fields, waves, and radiation generated by human activity. Aside from cellular mobile
telephones, such fields may come from, among others, the hubs (base stations) that enable
wireless connections of all mobile and location-fixed devices, smart grids associated
with the distribution and delivery of electricity, and global positioning systems (GPSs)
employed for navigation to enable and facilitate mobility with safety and reliability.
Without question, human-made electromagnetic radiation will increase both in
strength and in the spread of the frequency spectrum. The fact that electromagnetic
fields and radiation can interact with biological systems is beyond debate. For instance,
vii
The topic of interactions of electromagnetic fields with biological systems is not only
drawing attention from research scientists but also capturing interest from members
of the general public. In the United States, the National Center for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, conducts and
supports research that is generally not considered part of conventional or western medicine. The scope of research conducted by the Center is very broad and includes a group
of diverse medical and health-care practices and treatments. In particular, the institution has provided research support for several projects investigating the therapeutic
effectiveness of electromagnetic energy in the millimeter wavelength (mmW) region.
The use of nonionizing electromagnetic energy (in the mode of fields, waves, or radiation) for medical purposes dates back to the late 1800s. Shortly after Heinrich Hertz’s
confirmation of James C. Maxwell’s prediction of the existence of electromagnetic
waves, Arsene d’Arsonval applied the newly discovered high-frequency (10 kHz) current
on himself and found that it produced warming of muscles without any accompanying
sensation of muscular contraction. Indeed, the application of electromagnetic fields in
biology and medicine has a long and illustrious history of research that continues to this
date. Perhaps the most prominent application today is its use in medicine for magnetic
resonance imaging and spectroscopy.
Moreover, interest in wireless communication and widespread use of wireless communication devices such as cellular mobile telephones have grown significantly all over the
world during the past two decades. As a consequence, for the first time in human history
a source of electromagnetic radiation has come to be located right next to the head or the
body. This trend will likely continue and it promises to expand at a greater rate in the near
future. Almost all human beings will soon become immersed a vast milieu of electromagnetic fields, waves, and radiation generated by human activity. Aside from cellular mobile
telephones, such fields may come from, among others, the hubs (base stations) that enable
wireless connections of all mobile and location-fixed devices, smart grids associated
with the distribution and delivery of electricity, and global positioning systems (GPSs)
employed for navigation to enable and facilitate mobility with safety and reliability.
Without question, human-made electromagnetic radiation will increase both in
strength and in the spread of the frequency spectrum. The fact that electromagnetic
fields and radiation can interact with biological systems is beyond debate. For instance,
vii