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Measurement of Thermal Effusivity of Human Skin Using the Photoacoustic Method

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Abstract

In order to understand heat transfer in the human body, information regarding the thermophysical properties of biological materials is required. It is preferable that these properties are evaluated by in vivo measurements. The photoacoustic method is a non-contact, non-destructive method of measuring the thermophysical properties of various materials. In this study, the photoacoustic method was applied to human skin, and an open-type cell for on-site measurements was used instead of the previously used closed-type cell. Measurements of the thermophysical properties of human skin were carried out, and reasonable values of the thermal effusivity of the skin were obtained. Differences between different body parts and individual variations in thermal effusivity were investigated.

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Correspondence to Atsumasa Yoshida.

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Yoshida, A., Kagata, K. & Yamada, T. Measurement of Thermal Effusivity of Human Skin Using the Photoacoustic Method. Int J Thermophys 31, 2019–2029 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10765-010-0869-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10765-010-0869-7

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