Student Seminar Series 2017 – Seminar #2

We are pleased to announce the first session in our student seminar series 2017. Two of our students will be presenting on  WednesdayMarch 22 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm in ICE 8-207. 

Speaker #1: Cameron Hough – “Biological dosimetry of THz radiation for potential biomedical application


 

Background: Terahertz (THz) radiation is a form of electromagnetic energy with frequencies between the microwave and infrared bands, and is therefore non-ionizing. These frequencies couple strongly to natural oscillations of hydrogen bonds, which are found in all proteins, DNA, and cell membranes[1]. This interaction enables unique sensitivity to molecular structure that has led to the development of medical diagnostic tools that have been applied to cancer imaging with excellent contrast between diseased and normal tissue[1,2]. However, recent studies show that THz interactions are not entirely benign[1,3]; THz sources have been shown to non-thermally alter the structure/function of proteins and cell membranes, and induce localized openings in DNA. This implies the potential for: (1) Significant health risks, for which safe exposure limits are required that currently do not exist, and; (2) Novel therapies for genetic disorders (eg; cancer), for which a characterization of tissue response is required.
Objective/Hypothesis: The objective is to determine the underlying mechanisms of the observed biological effects induced by the interaction of THz radiation with hydrogen bonds in cells and tissues via analysis of differentially expressed genes/proteins. It is hypothesized that intense THz exposure will affect the structural integrity of membrane and protein structures, alter transcriptional expression levels of genes involved in important cellular processes, or induce cell death. Additionally, these effects will be dependent on THz energy, electric field, and frequency content.
Theoretical/Experimental Approach: THz exposures induce observable phenotypic effects[1,3]. These are the result of complex gene/protein signaling networks that cells utilize to respond to stimuli. By identifying and measuring concentrations of differentially expressed genes in response to THz exposures, the mechanisms underlying the phenotypic observations can be determined. Varying THz pulse parameters will alter the interaction characteristics with hydrogen bond networks and lead to phenotypic variation that can be related to measured changes in target gene/protein expression.

Biography

Cameron received his undergraduate degree in physics at the University of Alberta. His undergraduate research was in theory and technology of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In September 2014, he enrolled in the medical physics program at the University of Alberta, where he is currently a master’s student. He investigate the biological effects of non-ionizing radiation.

Speaker #2: Elham Baladi – “Devices and Methods Using Apertures Lined with Thin ENNZ Metamaterial Liners


 

Abstract

The miniaturization of components for microwave circuits has always been a major challenge in electromagnetics (EM), since performance is often tied to electrical length. Many devices and methods in electromagnetics use aperture arrays to transmit or radiate electromagnetic waves. The screens used in studies of extraordinary transmission and frequency selective surfaces require a relatively large number of apertures, which results in a large overall size, prompting the investigation of miniaturization methods. This work shows that transmission through miniaturized circular apertures can be vastly improved through the introduction of thin metamaterial liners exhibiting negative and near-zero (ENNZ) permittivity.

Biography

Elham Baladi received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering-communications in July 2013 from Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Tehran, Iran, and has been a PhD student at University of Alberta since September 2013. Her research interests include Antenna and Propagation, Metamaterials, Extraordinary Transmission, Frequency Selective Surfaces, Far-Field Sub-diffraction Imaging, and Antenna Radiation-Pattern Shaping.

Free pizza and refreshments will be served.