Heat diffusion characteristics of magnetite nanoparticles dispersed hydro-gel in alternating magnetic field

Heat diffusion characteristics of a spherical heat source dispersing magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) in hydro-gel were investigated numerically and experimentally to evaluate the conditions required for magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH). Numerical estimation assumed one-dimensional spherical model and constant heat evolution. Experimental observation was carried out by exposing the magnetite-dispersed hydro-gel in an AC magnetic field with strength and frequency of 3.2 kA/m and 600 kHz, respectively. The temperature distribution observed along the radial axis of the spherical heat source agreed well with the theoretical estimation quantitatively and qualitatively. However, the minor difference existed between the theory and experiment was due to the variation in experimentally determined and actual particle size distributions. Thus, we could conclude that the proposed algorithm could be extended to be used in the estimation of the temperature distribution in intravital conditions with blood flow, metabolism etc., to arrive at biologically significant conclusions helpful for MFH cancer treatment.