Biomedical applications at microwave and radio frequencies rely on the differences in permittivity and conductivity of biological tissues. The properties of healthy tissues span a wide range that relates to water content, while diseased tissues such as malignancies typically exhibit increased properties. Leveraging these differences, microwave imaging has been investigated as an alternative method for breast cancer detection and treatment monitoring. Several approaches have been developed to map the properties of tissues and identify anomalies. Microwave tomography involves measuring signals transmitted through the tissues, then iteratively updating properties of a model until simulations match these measurements. Radar-based approaches involve collecting reflections from tissues, then processing and focusing these reflections to identify anomalies. For both radar and tomography, key challenges are design of a measurement system and interface that enable reliable and rapid collection of data while operating close to the target tissues, developing imaging algorithms capable of detecting anomalies in a complex background, and reconciling the resulting microwave images with clinically available data. At the University of Calgary, we have developed several generations of prototype systems, focusing on demonstrating the consistency of images collected at different time points, as well as the feasibility of detecting tumors and treatment-related changes. Our most advanced radar-based system implements patient-specific capabilities, scanning the breast with 4 degrees of freedom in sensor positioning to enable consistent collection of data. We leveraged the knowledge gained through experience with this system to develop a novel approach that estimates locally averaged properties of tissues by detecting pulses traveling through the breast. With this approach, we have demonstrated a high degree of similarity between images captured at different time points, as well as symmetry between properties of the right and left breasts. Comparison of the images of right and left breasts of cancer patients has also enabled tracking treatment-related changes. Recently, our team began testing the next generation of this transmission system that features improved resolution. The initial results obtained with this system add to the growing body of work that illustrates the potential of microwave imaging to provide a unique breast imaging solution. Speaker(s): Prof. Elise Fear Room: BA1180, Bldg: Bahen Centre for Information Technology, 40 St George st, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Saturday Online Study Group preparing for the Canadian Amateur Radio certification exam. 2hrs/week CEU/PDH credits issued by request. Course based on the certification study guide from https://www.coaxpublications.ca/ord0001.php Purchase the book if you are serious about learning this. Optional morse code practise with course. There are other books available that basically covers the same topics. Course continues depending on registration. Course is free. Fee for CEU/PDH certification and/or fee to write the Canadian federal certification exam. Workshop is open to anyone, IEEE members and non-members. This study group is repeating, if you miss a lecture, you can continue the workshop when it repeats. 12 weeks long plus time off for exams and reading week at Humber Registration is required. Email will be send out to all registrants just before the meetings start with the link for google meet or zoom. Agenda: 2 hours every Saturday morning 10-12 am edt (Saturday afternoon/evening in Europe) 50 Panorama Court, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, M9V4A9, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/363431

Discover the long-term impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on our world! Join us for an insightful event where we'll explore the revolutionary changes brought about by AI and its potential consequences. Our special guest speaker, Kenneth Wenger, will share his expertise from his groundbreaking book. Artificial intelligence is everywhere—it’s in our houses, phones, and cars. AI makes decisions about what we should buy, watch, and read, and it won't be long before AI’s in our hospitals combing through our records. Maybe soon it will even be deciding who’s innocent and who goes to jail. In Is the Algorithm Plotting Against Us? A Layperson’s Guide to the Concepts, Math, and Pitfalls of AI (February 2023; Working Fires Foundation) AI expert Kenneth Wenger deftly explains the complexity at the heart of artificial intelligence. He celebrates the elegance and ingenuity of AI algorithms—and you don’t need a computer science degree to follow along. “The purpose of this book is to explain how AI works at a level of detail that makes these algorithms accessible to a general audience,” Wenger writes. “Why should you get involved in the discussion if you are not a scientist? Because each of us can influence our collective future. You have the ability to influence policy every time you go out and vote. The public can decide what areas of research should get more attention. You will be better served by understanding how these systems work and what we realistically need to worry about rather than making an emotional decision based on uninformed sensationalist ideas.” Speaker(s): Kenneth Wenger, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/362301