Recent Application of Electromagnetics

Due to their ability to generate very powerful magnetic fields, low resistance and high
efficiency, Electromagnets have often been applied in medicine and scientific equipment and plays a
key role particularly in advanced treatments, such as hyperthermia treatments for cancer, implants
and magnetic resonance imaging. Electromagnets are devices that work because an electric current
produces a magnetic field, and if a wire carrying an electric current is formed in a series of loops, the
magnetic field can concentrate inside the loops.

In recent years, humanity has made use of various applications of electromagnetics, but the
most significant use of electromagnetics in medicine is the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) that
involves placing a powerful electromagnet in the patient's head which passes a current through the
scalp to the underlying neurons. Magnetic Resonance Imaging is used in radiology to give doctors a
view of a patient’s internal structures through three different EMF fields. The first EMF field is a static
magnetic zero-frequency field produced by a large magnet to align the hydrogen nuclei inside the
patient’s body. The second is low-power time-varying EMF gradients generated by small magnets in
X, Y, and Z planes that provide the spatial position for the protons. These same magnetic field
gradients provide image slices by focusing on a particular body part to be examined. The last ones
are radiofrequency fields generated by the non-radiative near field of the emitter to activate the
protons in the body and cause them to emit radio waves to create anatomical images.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) equipment makes it possible to obtain images of freely
selected vertical, horizontal and diagonal cross sections of the human body using magnetic fields
and radio waves. Because there is no risk of X-ray exposure and MRI scanner imposes little burden
on the body, it is now considered a diagnostic tool
with high potential, though more studies are needed
before its safety can be thoroughly guaranteed, it
can already be used to examine children without
worrying about harmful effects.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/mri-icd-pacemaker-safety-5084872

In addition, MRI scanner makes it possible to obtain

clearer images of the brain, spinal cord and similar
tissues compared with equipment that uses X-rays
and can be used to diagnose brain tumors,
hemorrhage, nerve injury, and stroke injury and can
also detect if the heart or lungs are damaged which
helps diagnose a number of diseases. In fact, studies have even been found that if the device
generated static magnetic fields of 300 to 500 Gauss over a pain activation point, the application of
the electromagnet provided immediate relief to the subjects.
MRI works based on the Electromagnetic Spectrum which is a broad range of
electromagnetic waves, most of which are invisible to the naked eye. They are classified from having
the lowest energy or the longest wavelength to the highest energy or shortest wavelength which is
Radio waves, Microwaves, Infrared, Visible light, Ultraviolet light, X-rays, and Gamma rays. When
you lie inside an MRI machine, the magnetic field temporarily realigns water molecules in your body.
Radio waves cause these aligned atoms to produce faint signals, which are used to create
cross-sectional MRI images.

Conclusion

Electromagnetics is widely used in various fields. Its significance to our progress and health
is immeasurable and its effect in recent years is widely acknowledged and has been knowingly or
unknowingly becoming parts of our modern living. In the various theories and topics of
electromagnetism, the electromagnetic spectrum is a way to describe all wavelengths of light known
to man, both visible and invisible, under normal circumstances. Knowledge of these other types of
light and their potential uses allows humankind to leverage them in ways that lead to progress and
discoveries inside the human body and towards the great unknown.

Recommendations

● Learn the Importance of Electromagnetism in modern living

● Familiarize yourself with the basic concepts of electromagnetics in terms of waves and
transmission
● Analyze the concepts and workings of electromagnets and resulting electromagnetic fields

References:

TuitionPhysics. (2022). Electromagnetic waves: 3 applications in Biology & Medicine. Physics Tuition.
Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://tuitionphysics.com/aug-2022/electromagnetic-waves-3-appli
cations-in-biology-medicine/

CanonMedical. (2022). Technology Used in MRI Scanner. Canon Global. Retrieved from November 30,
2022, from https://global.canon/en/technology/support28.html

Marovino, T. (2011). Electromagnetic Applications In Biology and Medicine. Pract Pain Manag. Retrieved
from November 30, 2022, from https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/treatments/complementary/ele
ctromagnetic-applications-biology-medicine

IMA. (2022). The Applications of Electromagnets in Medicine. IMA. Retrieved from November 30, 2022,
from https://imamagnets.com/en/blog/what-applications-electromagnets-medicine/

TuitionPhysics. (2022). Electromagnetic Spectrum: What It Is And The Role It Plays. Physics Tuition.
Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://tuitionphysics.com/feb-2022/electromagnetic-spectrum-
what-it–is-and-the-role-it-plays/