AESS Distinguished Lecture - Dr Igal Bilik - Human Health Aspects of Radar Operation
Dr Igal Bilik
Biography: Dr. Igal Bilik received B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel, in 1997, 2003, and 2006, respectively. During 2006–2008, he was a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University, Durham, NC. During 2008-2011, he was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. During 2011-2019, he was a Staff Researcher at GM Advanced Technical Center, Israel, leading automotive radar technology development. Between 2019 and 2020, he led the Smart Sensing and Vision Group at GM R&D, where he was responsible for developing state-of-the-art automotive radar, lidar, and computer vision technologies. Since Oct. 2020, Dr. Bilik has been an Assistant Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Since 2020, he has been a member of the IEEE AESS Radar Systems Panel Committee and a chair of the Civilian Radar Committee. Dr. Bilik is an Acting Officer of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Chapter in Israel and chairs the Autonomous and Connected Transportation Committee at the Israeli Center for Smart Mobility Research. He has served as an Associate Editor (AE) for the IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems since 2020 and is currently a Senior Editor (SE) for these transactions. He has been an AE of the IEEE Sensors and IEEE TRS since 2022 and a Member of the Transactions on Radar Systems Editorial Committee. Dr. Bilik has more than 240 patent inventions, authored more than 90 peer-reviewed academic publications, received the Best Student Paper Awards at IEEE RADAR 2005 and IEEE RADAR 2006 Conferences, Student Paper Award in the 2006 IEEE 24th Convention of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in Israel, the GM Product Excellence Recognition in 2017, and IEEE AESS Industrial Innovation Award 2024.
Title: Human Health Aspects of Radar Operation
Abstract: The exponential deployment of radar technologies, particularly in automotive applications, has led to increased human exposure to pulsed radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (pRF-EMF). While such technologies are essential for advancements in communication, safety, and automation, they raise critical concerns about the potential health risks posed by electromagnetic fields, particularly their non-thermal effects. Recent studies demonstrate that red blood cells (RBCs) circulating in the human body's vascular system may be particularly vulnerable to these exposures, given that they traverse regions where pRF-EMF is absorbed. This interaction can lead to alterations in RBC properties, including changes in deformability, aggregability, and membrane integrity. Such changes could have significant downstream effects on deeper organs and tissues.
This lecture explores the mechanisms through which pRF-EMF interacts with RBCs, with a focus on radar frequencies of 24, 60, and 77 GHz. It will present findings on how specific parameters such as power, modulation, and duration of exposure contribute to these effects. The lecture will also highlight methodologies for assessing the impact of electromagnetic exposure on human health, addressing both the current gaps in research and the challenges in establishing clear regulatory standards. Furthermore, the implications for future radar technology designs, which balance technological benefits and public health considerations, will be discussed.
This overview aims to deepen the understanding of how radar systems may impact human health, emphasizing the need for systematic investigation into non-thermal biological effects and paving the way for evidence-based guidelines on safe radar operation in public environments.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
- Date: 11 Jun 2025
- Time: 01:00 PM UTC to 02:00 PM UTC
-
Add Event to Calendar
- University Avenue
- Glasgow, Scotland
- United Kingdom G128QQ
- Building: James Watt South Building
- Room Number: 427b