Impedance change in matter from ionizing radiation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the potential changes in impedance in matter, particularly biological tissues, when exposed to ionizing radiation. Participants explore the feasibility of measuring these changes and the implications of such measurements in practical scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that bio-impedance techniques could detect shifts in impedance due to metabolic changes induced by ionizing radiation.
  • Another participant argues that in practical scenarios, the contribution of ionizing radiation to impedance changes is negligible due to the abundance of free electrons and ions in biological tissues.
  • A participant clarifies that the impedance change could be observed in environments lacking free ions, indicating that the context of the measurement is crucial.
  • There is a concern raised about the ethical implications and potential harm of exposing living subjects to ionizing radiation for the purpose of measuring impedance changes.
  • A question is posed regarding the methodology and existing literature related to such experiments, indicating a need for further research or references.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility and implications of measuring impedance changes due to ionizing radiation, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a consensus.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on the presence of free ions in biological tissues and the ethical considerations surrounding experiments involving living subjects. The discussion does not resolve the technical feasibility of the proposed measurements.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to researchers in bio-impedance, radiation effects on biological systems, and those exploring the intersection of physics and medical applications.

Janlindstrom
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TL;DR
bio-impedance technique for measurements of impedance changes induced by ionizing radiation. Is it possible?
Bio-impedance technique is used to monitor various organ related qualities. Shift in metabolism will also show up as a shift in impedance. My question is if by exposing a target volume with ionizing radiation and thereby release electrons and at the same time measure the impedance (which will "collect" the released electrons by introducing alternating voltage field lines?), would that impedance measurement show a change in impedance? Why / Why not?
 
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Janlindstrom said:
... measurements of impedance changes induced by ionizing radiation. Is it possible?
I think within any practical range of radiation it's not possible. Usually, living organs has plenty of 'free' electrons ions around, since they are practically salted water with some 'dirt' in it. The usual contribution of radiation is not much.

The natural ion content in (clean) water is in the 10^18 range (in a kg of water), if I recall correctly.
For potassium in meat it's around 100 decays every second in every kg. In this environment as additional charge, it's just negligible.

In an environment where there are no free ions around, it definitely can be measured (many instruments depends on this).
 
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I was referring to the potential impedance change due to impinging ionising radiation i.e x rays. By applying a potential over the volume of interest the free electrons or ions should move according to the field lines in much the same manner as in an ion chamber?
 
Janlindstrom said:
My question is if by exposing a target volume with ionizing radiation and thereby release electrons and at the same time measure the impedance
It seems like exposing a living subject to this level of ionizing radiation would be a very bad thing. What is your endgame? Do you have links to papers about this experiment?
 

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