New program to explore whether electromagnetic waves (EMF) are purposefully transmitted and received within or between cells and, if so, to leverage those insights not just for biosystems but also for communicating in cluttered electromagnetic environments
What role do electromagnetic waves have upon our intra and inter-cellular (biological system) signaling? To date none knows the mechanics involved and the information being transferred within our bodies. As we are being bombarded with electromagnetic frequencies we are being catapulted into a brave new world never known in history. How will external EMF pollution or noise impact our internal communication system?
DARPA is seeking to exploit the structure and function of natural 'antennae' which are capable of generating and receiving information in noisy environments.
New applications and capabilities in biology may result from this program, in addition to potential new strategies for dealing with communications in a cluttered electromagnetic environment.
Since the 1960's researchers and the military have been aware of terahertz frequencies emanating from cell membranes. DARPA is now exploring the technology and tools that can prove whether electromagnetic waves constitute purposeful signals for biological function, or if they are merely background noise. Once it is established what the function and operation of our bodies cellular electromagnetic communication we will be able to better understand the threats of external electromagnetic forces that are assaulting our bodies.
DARPA’s RadioBio program seeks to establish:
- If purposeful electromagnetic wave signaling between biological cells exists and if evidence supports that it does,
- To determine what information is being transferred.
The merging technology of electromagnetic biosignaling requires an understanding of how the structure and function of microscopic, natural antennas are capable of generating and receiving information in a noisy spectral environment.
“There are many complex interactions within and between cells, so determining if electromagnetic waves, which could be low or high frequencies, somehow play a role in transmitting and receiving meaningful signals through what might be an ion-rich, aqueous solution is a significant challenge,” said Mike Fiddy, DARPA program manager. “If we can prove that purposeful signaling is happening, the next step would be to discover how the process works. This insight could eventually lead to a broad range of technologies important in biology as well as new small antenna designs, and other innovative concepts for communication systems in ever increasing cluttered electromagnetic environments.”
The program envisions two, 24-month phases. During Phase 1, performers will be asked to theoretically model and simulate hypothesized electromagnetic signaling pathways and then experimentally test those theoretical predictions. In Phase 2, the goal would be to independently develop test beds to replicate, confirm and demonstrate the pathways modeled in Phase 1 and reveal design principles potentially relevant to biological or other applications.
On February 21 DARPA will hold a RadioBio Proposers Day are to:“One of the greatest challenges of the program will be to develop theoretical and numerical models that can describe the properties of near-field, time-varying, sub-wavelength-size biological structures that function as antennas,” Fiddy said. “To overcome such difficulties, RadioBio seeks expertise in antenna design, theoretical and structural biology, biochemistry and other related disciplines.”
1. Introduce the research community (Proposers, Academia, and Government) to the RadioBio program vision and goals;
2. Explain the mechanics of a typical DARPA program and outline the milestones of this particular effort, and
3. Encourage and promote teaming arrangements among potential proposers that have the relevant expertise, facilities, and capabilities for executing a research and development program responsive to the RadioBio program goals.
This exploration of electromagnetic communications, once again, appears to be a little bit to late as the Internet of Things scrambles our internal communications. Researchers know little of electromagnetism as it pertains to the pre-technology environment, internal, or external EMF exposure consequences, much less wisdom about our highly EMF polluted world.