8,655 Studies Reviewed. 86.9% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Whole Body / GeneralPart of the Glaser Archive

On the generation of electrolyte flow by alternating electric and magnetic fields

Bioeffects Seen

R. SUNDERMAN, T. Z. FAHIDY · 1976

Share:

Alternating electromagnetic fields create movement in body fluids, potentially disrupting cellular processes that depend on stable ionic environments.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1976 research by Sunderman investigated how alternating electric and magnetic fields create movement in electrolyte solutions (liquids containing dissolved salts and ions). The study examined the mechanisms behind field-induced fluid motion, which is fundamental to understanding how electromagnetic fields interact with biological fluids in living organisms.

Why This Matters

This foundational research reveals a critical mechanism by which electromagnetic fields affect biological systems. Every cell in your body contains electrolyte solutions, from the fluid inside cells to blood plasma to the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding your brain. When these ion-rich fluids encounter alternating electric and magnetic fields, they don't just sit still - they move. This convective motion can disrupt cellular processes, alter membrane permeability, and change the delicate ionic balance that cells depend on for proper function. What makes this particularly relevant today is that we're surrounded by devices generating exactly these types of alternating fields - from WiFi routers to cell phones to power lines. The reality is that your body's electrolyte systems are constantly responding to these external fields, potentially creating subtle but persistent biological disruptions that weren't part of human evolution.

Figures from the Original Paper

Diagrams extracted from the original research document.

diagramPage 1 - Fig. 1 Sketch of the solenoid and electrolytic cell set-up.
p. 1 of the original PDF
graphPage 3 - AI-described figure: Fig. 3: Average particle velocity versus frequency at low electrolyte concentration.
p. 3 of the original PDF

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 20-34 kHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 20-34 kHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

To investigate the generation of electrolyte flow by alternating electric and magnetic fields and to analyze the effect of frequency, current magnitude, and electrolyte concentration on the resulting surface velocity.

The experimental set-up consisted of a solenoid generating an axial magnetic field, connected in ser...

The average surface velocity markedly increases with the applied current magnitude and decreases wit...

The adverse effect on the fluid motion of an alternating magnetic and electric field in transverse configuration has now been sufficiently demonstrated via experiments, but without a full understanding of the observed phenomena. Further experimental studies will be needed to ascertain whether the decrease in surface velocity with increasing frequency of the current flow is indeed caused by the electric circuit configuration as suggested inconclusively by the observations presented here. At any rate, there is adequate information at hand to design magneto-electric cells in which bulk flow motion takes place at a predetermined r.m.s. velocity.

Cite This Study
R. SUNDERMAN, T. Z. FAHIDY (1976). On the generation of electrolyte flow by alternating electric and magnetic fields.
Show BibTeX
@article{on_the_generation_of_electrolyte_flow_by_alternating_electric_and_magnetic_field_g6952,
  author = {R. SUNDERMAN and T. Z. FAHIDY},
  title = {On the generation of electrolyte flow by alternating electric and magnetic fields},
  year = {1976},
  
  
}
No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

Alternating electric and magnetic fields cause ions in electrolyte solutions to oscillate and create convective currents. This movement occurs because charged particles respond to electromagnetic forces, generating fluid motion that can persist even after field exposure ends.
Blood plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, intracellular fluid, and lymphatic fluid all contain dissolved ions that make them electrolyte solutions. These biological fluids can experience field-induced movement when exposed to alternating electromagnetic fields from electronic devices.
Cells depend on precise ionic concentrations and stable fluid environments for proper membrane function, enzyme activity, and cellular communication. Field-induced electrolyte movement can disrupt these delicate balances, potentially affecting cellular metabolism and signaling processes.
WiFi routers, cell phones, power lines, and household electronics all generate alternating electromagnetic fields. These devices operate at various frequencies that can induce convective motion in the electrolyte solutions throughout your body.
Research suggests that electromagnetic field exposure can create persistent changes in biological systems. While immediate electrolyte movement is temporary, repeated or prolonged exposure may lead to cumulative effects on cellular function and tissue health.