Determination of Thermal Conductivity of Biomaterials in the Temperature Range 233–313K Using a Tiny Detector Made of a Self-Heated Thermistor

Abstract

A new technique has been developed using a tiny thermistor 0.3–0.5 mm in diameter to determine thermal conductivity of biomaterials over a wide temperature range. Based on steady-state spherical heat transfer in an infinite homogeneous medium, thermal conductivity of the measured medium can be determined from the power applied and the temperature rise of the self-heated thermistor. Compared with accepted literature, relative measurement errors of thermal conductivity of standard samples (water and ice, as well as aqueous glycol and CaCl₂ solutions) are less than 5% in the temperature range 233–313K. Using the developed technique, thermal conductivities of rabbit liver, kidney, heart, and carotid artery were determined in the temperature range 233–293K.