Absorption Efficiency and Heating Kinetics of Nanoparticles in the RF Range for Selective Nanotherapy of Cancer

Renat Letfullin, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Alla Letfullina, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Thomas George, University of Missouri-St. Louis

RHURP 15-04

Abstract

Radio-frequency (RF) waves have an excellent ability to penetrate into the human body, giving a great opportunity to activate/heat nanoparticles delivered inside the body as a contrast agent for diagnosis and treatment purposes. However the heating of nanoparticles in the RF range of the spectrum is controversial in the research community because of the low power load of RF waves and low absorption of nanoparticles in the RF range. This study uses a phenomenological approach to estimate the absorption efficiency of metal and dielectric nanoparticles in the RF range through a study of heating kinetics of those particles in radio wave field. We also discuss the specific features of heating kinetics of nanoparticles, such as a short time scale for heating and cooling of nanoparticles in a liquid biological environment, and the effect of the radiation field structure on the heating kinetics by single-pulse and multipulse RF radiation.