Non-invasive Measurement of Thermal Conductivity and Thermal Diffusivity of Biological Materials : Measurement of Agar Gels

Abstract

A non-invasive technique was developed to measure the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of biological materials. This technique involves laser heating and infrared thermometry of the target surface. The uncertainty of estimated properties resulted from scattering of measured temperature and inaccuracy of the absorption coefficient was discussed using simulated temperature changes as measured data. Then preliminary experiments were carried out with agar gels as sham biological tissues.