Thermal Conductivity and Thermal Diffusivity of Biomaterials: A Simultaneous Measurement Technique

Abstract

A technique is presented for the simultaneous determination of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of biomaterials. Measurements are derived from the transient power supplied to a thermistor probe operated in a self-heated mode. The thermal properties are extracted through the use of an appropriate thermal model. Thermal conductivity is determined through a simple algebraic equation. Thermal diffusivity is determined from a convenient set of nondimensionalized curves. The technique can be used in vivo and in vitro. Measurements can be made in sample volumes of less than 1 cc in less than 30 s.