Gilles Ruffie

Université Bordeaux-I · Département d’Électronique, d’Électrotechnique et d’Automatique

In 2005, the complex permittivity of the surface of Saturn's moon Titan was measured by the PWA-MIP/HASI (Permittivity Wave Altimetry-Mutual Impedance Probe/Huygens Atmospheric Structure Instrument) experiment on board the Huygens probe. The analysis of these measurements was recently refined but could not be interpreted in terms of composition due...

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeation and neuron degeneration were assessed in the rat brain following exposure to mobile communication radiofrequency (RF) signals (GSM-1800 and UMTS-1950). Two protocols were used: (i) single 2 h exposure, with rats sacrificed immediately, and 1 h, 1, 7, or 50 days later, and (ii) repeated exposures (2 h/day, 5 days...

The existence of effects of radiofrequency field exposure at environmental levels on living tissues and organisms remains controversial, in particular regarding potential "nonthermal" effects produced in the absence of temperature elevation. Therefore, we investigated whether TRPV1, one of the most studied thermosensitive channels, can be activated...

The remote signatures measured at microwave frequency are strongly dependent on the permittivity of soil. This study deals with the development at IMS laboratory of an in situ dielectric measurement system based on an end effect probe.

This work focuses on multilayer composite material modeling. A surface model of two reinforced woven fiberglass composites (polyamide- and epoxy-based) is built using a multilayer effective media theory and a layered anisotropic material model embedded in a Method of Moment solver. Experimental characterizations of the electromagnetic complex relat...

The bioeffects of exposure to Wireless High-Fidelity (WiFi) signals on the developing nervous systems of young rodents was investigated by assessing the in vivo and in situ expression levels of three stress markers: 3-Nitrotyrosine (3-NT), an oxidative stress marker and two heat-shock proteins (Hsp25 and Hsp70). These biomarkers were measured in th...

This study presents alternative methods for the processing of concrete waste. The mechanical stresses needed for the embrittlement of the mortar matrix and further selective crushing of concrete were generated by either electric impulses or microwaves heating. Tests were carried out on lab-made concrete samples representative of concrete waste from...

Detailed information about cometary nuclei is still to be revealed by a rendezvous mission, such as Rosetta. Two on-board radiometric experiments, MIRO and CONSERT, will respectively determine the brightness temperature of the surface and subsurface near 190 and 563 GHz, and investigate the deep interior by radar tomography through radio waves at 9...

Dielectric property measurements over a large range of frequencies on two different samples of granular matter (JSC-MARS1 martian soil simulant and Etna pyroclastic deposits, each them divided at least in three size distribution) are presented. They are under development to prepare the interpretation of Rosetta spacecraft observations of the subsur...

An experimental approach was used to assess immunological biomarkers in the sera of young rats exposed in utero and postnatal to non-ionizing radiofrequency fields. Pregnant rats were exposed free-running, 2 h/day and 5 days/week to a 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi signal in a reverberation chamber at whole-body specific absorption rates (SAR) of 0, 0.08, 0.4, and...

The increase in exposure to the Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) wireless communication signal has raised public health concerns especially for young people. Animal studies looking at the effects of early life and prenatal exposure to this source of electromagnetic fields, in the radiofrequency (RF) range, on development and behavior have been considered...

The European Rosetta spacecraft (s/c), launched in 2004, will be the first s/c to orbit a comet and place a lander module on its surface. In 2014, the s/c will rendezvous with the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and place the lander on its surface thereby allowing in situ and remote sensing of the comet nucleus. Two radio experiments, one passive (...

A program of dielectric constant determination on various analogues, over a large range of frequencies and porosities, is under development in relation with the interpretation of Rosetta spacecraft observations. The analogues are meteoritic samples (compact and powdered), likely to be representative of the asteroids that have already been flown-by...

The impact of Wi-Fi exposure was investigated on the developing immune system of C57BL/6 mice, whole-body exposed 2-hour/day for 7 weeks at 2.45 GHz. The pups were exposed for 2 weeks in utero and then for 5 weeks post-natal. The free-running animal exposure system was a reverberation chamber with SAR levels of 0, 0.8, 0.4, and 4 W/kg. There was no...

The present study aimed, for the first time, at evaluating the consequences of in utero exposure to a Wi-Fi signal on pregnant rats and their pups. SAR levels of 0.08, 0.4, and 4 W/kg were used. Prenatal study of foetuses delivered by caesarean was carried out on 5 females/group. Maternal observations after delivery and offspring follow-up were don...

The effects of RF radiation were investigated on the rat reproductive system in compliance with the OECD protocole-421. Free moving male and female rats (before and during pregnancy) were whole-body sham exposed or exposed to a Wi-Fi signal (2450 MHz) using a reverberation chamber at WB SAR of 0.1 or 4 W/kg. Preliminary results show that body-weigh...

In this study we investigated the effect of the Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE) signal on cells of three human brain cell lines, SH-SY5Y, U87 and CHME5, used as models of neurons, astrocytes and microglia, respectively, as well as on primary cortical neuron cultures. SXC-1800 waveguides (IT'IS-Foundation, Zürich, Switzerland) were modif...

Pregnant rats were daily whole-body exposed or sham-exposed to a Wi-Fi signal in a free-running reverberation chamber at 0, 0.08, 0.4, and 4 W/kg for 2 h during the last 2 weeks of gestation (5 days/week). Following this in utero exposure, the pups were divided into two groups and 1 group continued exposure for 5 weeks after birth. Several brain ar...

There is some concern that exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (MF) causes adverse health effects via signal transduction pathways. Two previous studies reported that exposure to 50-Hz MF decreased the binding affinity of the 1B receptor subtype of serotonin (5-HT) in rat brain membranes. The aim of this study was to investigate whe...

INTRODUCTION In recent decades, concern has been growing about decreasing fecundity and fertility in the human population [1]. Several studies indicate that semen quality may have decreased, associated with reduced fertility [2], but few potential factors have been identified. Exposures to non-ionizing electromagnetic fields, especially RF fields u...

Pregnant Wistar rats were exposed in a reverberation chamber to Wi-Fi signals (whole-body SAR 0.08, 0.4, 4 W/kg) from gestational day 3 to 20. The presence of stress markers was screened in the blood and brain of pups at day 2, and months 1, 2, and 3 after birth. At day 2, no genotoxic effect was detected in the blood. Whatever SAR and age, there w...

There is some evidence from epidemiological studies of an association between occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Our aim was to perform, for the first time, an animal study in a controlled magnetic environment. We used the SOD-1 mouse model to assess the possible effect of ELF magnetic fields on...

In a series of Russian and Ukrainian papers published from 1974-1986, it was reported that 30-day whole-body exposures to continuous-wave (CW) radiofrequency (RF) radiation at 2375 MHz and 5 W/m(2) disrupted the antigenic structure of rat brain tissue. The authors suggested that this action caused an autoimmune response in exposed animals. Moreover...

Salford et al. reported in 2003 that a single 2-h exposure to GSM-900 mobile telephony signals induced brain damage (increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier and presence of dark neurons) 50 days after exposure. In our study, 16 Fischer 344 rats (14 weeks old) were exposed head-only to the GSM-900 signal for 2 h at various brain-averaged S...

Field measurements of dielectric properties of hypersaline deposits were realized over an arid site located in Death Valley, CA. The dielectric constant of salt and water mixtures is usually high but can show large variations, depending on the considered salt. We confirmed values observed on the field with laboratory measurements and used these res...

The development of instruments for remote sensing applications (active or passive) requires in situ validation measurements. The equipments (radar or radiometer) must be tested on real geological profiles. We must have accurate information on the profiles studied (permittivity, humidity, thickness of layers ...). Sensors (humidity), samples (thickn...

A temporary increase in ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity was reported in lysed L-929 fibroblasts after exposure to the microwaves emitted by Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System (DAMPS-835 MHz, 2.5 W/kg, 8 hours). Confirmation of these data was undertaken, given the suggested potential physiopathological consequences, i.e., tumour promotion....

An increase in Ornithine Decarboxylase (ODC) activity was reported in L929 murine fibroblast cells after exposure to a digital cellular telephone signal. This result was not confirmed by several other studies, including the one reported in a companion paper. As a partner in the Perform-B programme, we extended this study to human neuroblastoma cell...

In order to improve our knowledge of the emitted signal of forests at L-band (1.4 GHz) we focused this study on permittivity measurements of heterogenic natural media such as soil or litter consisting of plant debris and organic matter. This study was done in the context of the upcoming SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) satellite mission...

Soil salinization in arid and semi-arid regions still remains one of the most important threats not only for socio-economical issues when dealing with water ressources management, but also for ecological matters such as: desertification, climate changes, and biomass reduction. Then, monitoring and mapping of soil salinity distribution represent tod...

For four years, the Cassini Radar instrument has slowly revealed the surface of Titan. It has discovered cryovolcanic flows, craters, dunes, channels, rivers, lakes and seas. In order to analyze and model the microwave behaviour of Titan's surface, we need to know the dielectric constant of its surface materials. We present here Ku-band (10 and 13...

We conducted a systematic review of scientific studies to evaluate whether the use of wireless phones is linked to an increased incidence of the brain cancer glioma or other tumors of the head (meningioma, acoustic neuroma, and parotid gland), originating in the areas of the head that most absorb radiofrequency (RF) energy from wireless phones. Epi...

We consider the exploitation of dielectric properties of saline deposits for the detection and mapping of moisture in arid regions on both Earth and Mars. We present simulated and experimental study in order to assess the effect of salinity on the complex permittivity of geological materials and, therefore, on the radar backscattering coefficient i...

ESA's Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission is currently under preparation with a launch early 2008. When operational, it will provide global microwave brightness temperature observations at L-band, in dual polarisation and under a range of viewing angles, both, over land and water surfaces. For the purpose of relating the observed quanti...

Cassini RADAR reveals the surface of Titan since flyby Ta acquired on October 2004. The RADAR instrument discovered volcanic structures, craters, dunes, channels, lakes and seas. In particular, flyby T16 realized in July 2006 imaged tens of radar-dark features close to Titan's north pole. They are interpreted as lakes filled with liquid hydrocarbon...

The surface soil moisture is a key variable to describe the exchange of water and energy between the land and the atmosphere. In hydrology, and meteorology, the amount of water in the upper soil layers permits (0-5 cm from the surface) the evaluation of the relationship between the real evaporation and the potential evaporation of the bare soil. It...

We previously reported the inability of Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) signals at 900 (GSM-900) and 1800 (GSM-1800) MegaHertz (MHz) to induce morphological and physiological changes in epidermis of Hairless rats. The present work aimed at investigating heat shock proteins (HSP) expression--as a cellular stress marker--in the skin of H...

The work which we present takes place within the framework of mission SMOS of the ESA which will consist to send a radiometer (1.4 GHz) in space. The goal of the research which we propose is the improvement of the comprehension of the effects of structure soil and litter. The effects of the litter and heterogeneities of the ground are probably impo...

The work which we present takes place within the framework of mission SMOS of the ESA which will consist to send a radiometer (1.4 GHz) in space. The goal of the research which we propose is the improvement of the comprehension of the effects of structures composed of soil and litter. The effects of the litter and heterogeneities of the ground are...

The work which we present takes place within the framework of mission SMOS of the ESA which will consist to send a radiometer (1.4 GHz) in space. The goal of the research which we propose is the improvement of the comprehension of the effects of structure soil and litter. The effects of the litter and heterogeneities of the ground are probably impo...

From July-December 2004 the experimental campaign 'Bray 2004' was conducted in the coniferous forest of Les Landes near Bordeaux, France, using a multi-angle L-band (1.4 GHz) radiometer to measure upwelling radiation above the forest. At the same time, ground measurements were taken of soil and litter moisture content. This experiment was done in t...

SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity), is the second mission of 'Earth Explorer' to be developed within the program 'Living Planet' of the European Space Agency (ESA). This satellite, containing the very first 1.4GHz interferometric radiometer 2D, will carry out the first cartography on a planetary scale of the moisture of the grounds and the sal...

The ExoMars mission of the program Aurora (ESA) aims to send a vehicle (Rover) on Mars in 2013. Beyond the technological aspects of the mission, the Rover will also carry scientific instruments for the analysis of Mars subsurface to search traces of past or present life in the Martian soil. The Rover will embark a drilling machine which will give a...

The evolution of mobile phone technology is toward an increase of the carrier frequency up to 2.45 GHz. Absorption of radiofrequency (RF) radiation becomes more superficial as the frequency increases. This increasingly superficial absorption of RF radiation by the skin, which is the first organ exposed to RF radiation, may lead to stress responses...