In the last few years, we have witnessed significant progress in developing high performance shape memory polymer (SMP) nanocomposites, in particular, for shape recovery activated by indirect heating in the presence of electricity, magnetism, light, radio frequency, microwave and radiation, etc. In this paper, we critically review recent findings in Joule heating of SMP nanocomposites incorpora...

Apples destined for export to Japan and South Korea are currently disinfested for codling moth, Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), using methyl bromide fumigation. Restrictions and limitations imposed on the uses of methyl bromide have increased interest in developing alternative non-chemical quarantine treatments. It is imperative that the treatment is effective against codling mot...

To develop advanced pasteurization treatments based on radio frequency (RF) or microwave (MW) energy, dielectric properties of almond kernels were measured by using an open-ended coaxial-line probe and impedance analyzer at frequencies between 10 and 3000 MHz, moisture contents between 4.2% to 19.6% w.b. and temperatures between 20 and 90 °C. The results showed that both dielectric constant and...

Thermal and non-thermal technologies are both used in the processing and preservation of foods. Recently, awareness about good nutrition coupled with the increasing demand for fresher tasting food have paved theway for new food processing technologies.These include thermalprocessingmethods such asmicrowave (MW), radiofrequency (RF), infrared (IR) heating, pressure-assisted thermal sterilization...

T he ablative effect of radiofrequency (RF) energy is based on resistive heating of tissue adjacent to the delivery electrode. Generally, the amount of heat generated relates to the amount of power delivered. Thus, under controlled experimental conditions, delivered power can be used as a parameter to control the amount of myocardial damage.1,2 However, in the clinical situation, a large propor...

BACKGROUND Loose, lax skin is a common cosmetic complaint. Previous non-invasive skin tightening devices had modest efficacy and were associated with pain or downtime. New technologies may allow for effective skin tightening with a series of radiofrequency (RF) treatments with no downtime. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel bipolar RF device for skin tightening. METHOD...

BACKGROUND This study incorporates concurrent thermal camera imaging as a means of both safely extending the length of each treatment session within skin surface temperature tolerances and to demonstrate not only the homogeneous nature of skin surface temperature heating but the distribution of that heating pattern as a reflection of localization of subcutaneous fat distribution. METHODS Five...

The mammalian blood-brain barrier (BBB) consists of endothelial cells, linked by tight junctions, and the adjoining pericytes and extracellular matrix. It helps maintain a highly stable extracellular environment necessary for accurate synaptic transmission and protects nervous tissue from injury. An increase in its normally low permeability for hydrophilic and charged molecules could potentiall...

Microwave heating is a process within a family of electroheat techniques, such as induction, radio frequency, direct resistance or infra-red heating, all of which utilise specific parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. These processes supplement, and in specific cases totally replace, conventional heating or drying systems used in industry. This is because some conventional systems are very bul...

Chondrocytes are known to be thermal-sensitive, insofar as excessive temperatures may cause cellular death and promote the degeneration of articular cartilage (3). Therefore, it is imperative to determine and use the lowest possible settings of RF energy that will produce the desired effects (1-3). Similar to other studies conducted to characterize temperature changes for tissues treated using ...