Extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) in Switzerland: From exposure monitoring to daily exposure scenarios.

Exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) is ubiquitous in our daily environment. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the ambient ELF-MF exposure in Switzerland and presents a novel environmental exposure matrix for exposure assessment and risk communication. Magnetic flux density levels (µT) were measured using a portable exposimeter carried in a backpack for the main ELF sources: railway power (16.

Comparison of ambient radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) levels in outdoor areas and public transport in Switzerland in 2014 and 2021.

Mobile communication technology has evolved rapidly over the last ten years with a drastic increase in wireless data traffic and the deployment of new telecommunication technologies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ambient radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) levels and temporal changes in various microenvironments in Switzerland in 2014 and 2021. We measured the ambient RF-EMF levels in V/m in the same 49 outdoor areas and in public transport in 2014 and 2021 using portable RF-EMF exposure meters carried in a backpack.

Dealing with crosstalk in electromagnetic field measurements of portable devices.

Portable devices measuring radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) are affected by crosstalk: signals originating in one frequency band that are unintentionally registered in another. If this is not corrected, total exposure to RF-EMF is biased, particularly affecting closely spaced frequency bands such as GSM 1800 downlink (1,805-1,880 MHz), DECT (1,880-1,900 MHz), and UMTS uplink (1,920-1,980 MHz). This study presents an approach to detect and correct crosstalk in RF-EMF measurements, taking into account the real-life setting in which crosstalk is intermittently present, depending on the exact frequency of the signal.

High-speed plasmonic modulator in a single metal layer.

Plasmonics provides a possible route to overcome both the speed limitations of electronics and the critical dimensions of photonics. We present an all-plasmonic 116-gigabits per second electro-optical modulator in which all the elements-the vertical grating couplers, splitters, polarization rotators, and active section with phase shifters-are included in a single metal layer. The device can be realized on any smooth substrate surface and operates with low energy consumption.

Context-sensitive ecological momentary assessments; integrating real-time exposure measurements, data-analytics and health assessment using a smartphone application.

Introduction: Modern sensor technology makes it possible to collect vast amounts of environmental, behavioural and health data. These data are often linked to contextual information on for example exposure sources which is separately collected with considerable lag time, leading to complications in assessing transient and/or highly spatially variable environmental exposures. Context-Sensitive Ecological Momentary Assessments (CS-EMAs) could be used to address this.

Personal radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure measurements in Swiss adolescents.

Background: Adolescents belong to the heaviest users of wireless communication devices, but little is known about their personal exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF).

Objectives: The aim of this paper is to describe personal RF-EMF exposure of Swiss adolescents and evaluate exposure relevant factors. Furthermore, personal measurements were used to estimate average contributions of various sources to the total absorbed RF-EMF dose of the brain and the whole body.

Direct Conversion of Free Space Millimeter Waves to Optical Domain by Plasmonic Modulator Antenna.

A scheme for the direct conversion of millimeter and THz waves to optical signals is introduced. The compact device consists of a plasmonic phase modulator that is seamlessly cointegrated with an antenna. Neither high-speed electronics nor electronic amplification is required to drive the modulator.