Efficient Computational Tool for RF-Induced Thermal Response

ABSTRACT: A new thermal response module will be developed for the XFdtd electromagnetic full-wave solver, building on versions that were available in prior releases of the software to incorporate accuracy and new features from the latest approaches in the technical literature. A user-friendly graphical user interface will also be developed in XFdtd 7 for setting up and executing simulations and visualizing results. The computational method behind the software tool is based on the accurate bio-heat transfer equation. The improved computational tool will be more accurate and efficient, and will better meet the needs of military and commercial users of XFdtd. Semi-analytical models will also be investigated and prototyped using accurate simulation results from the high-fidelity thermal module and will be integrated into the software. The development of a MPI and GPU accelerated version will greatly improve the efficiency and reduce the runtime. The goal of this research will provide a fast tool to predict both whole body and localized temperatures over time across a broad range of individuals and exposures. BENEFIT: Military Application: The software tool developed by this SBIR effort can be used by engineers and health physicists to study risks of accidental RF overexposure. It can also be used by military to predict potential of overexposure during engagement of novel directed energy systems. Commercial Application: This research effort will improve the temperature rise modules that were available in prior versions of XFdtd and allow us to integrate the new capability into our current version, XFdtd Release 7. The success of the proposed project will introduce a new and improved feature to Remcom"s XFdtd product which will allow for thermal and hazard analysis of biological bodies under RF exposure. This is also something that some of Remcom"s current and prospective commercial customers have asked for. The application includes but is not limited to the risks of accidental RF overexposure, hyperthermia treatment, human thermal comfort research, and the safety issues of MRI and wireless devices such as cell phones.