The main key enabling ambitions are aligned with the innovative objectives of NextGEM are the following:
- 5G exposure patterns: NextGEM accomplish necessary and much sought-after improvements in field level assessment in real scenarios by developing a maximum power extrapolation technique and a suitable statistical model for FPR factor estimation for application in both Single User (SU) MIMO and Multiple Users (MU) MIMO cases. Validation will be performed in a dedicated case study by developing novel high frequency EMF sensing devices.
- EMF modelling tools: NextGEM will develop next-generation, game changing open-source computational tools (ERMES, Ray-it) for environmental EMF levels and body-absorbed RF energy measurements, which will be made freely available to the general public at the end of the project. New numerical algorithms will be tested and validated to improve the numerical efficiency and accuracy. New interfaces (ray-tracing with human-body geometry and full-wave EM solver) and capabilities (coupling EM with other physical models) will be developed, further advancing EMF modelling in complex environments.
- In vitro and in vivo investigations: NextGEM will use different -omics approaches to identify genes and proteins as potential exposure marker candidate. The obtained results will be the foundation for hazard and risk assessments within the NextGEM project, allowing these activities to be performed more accurately than previously.
- Physics of the processes initiated by exposure of living cells to EMF: NextGEM will accomplish significant knowledge advancement regarding possible impact of EMF on: (i) protonation and modifications of thiols and amino groups of amino acids, (ii) state of water and protein surface charge and structure, (iii) membrane potential and surface charge. Frequencies dependency, response kinetics and duration, as well as tissue-specificity will be studied. Such mechanistic understanding is crucial to understand if non-thermal EMF are at all possible, and if so, under which circumstances.
- Human studies: NextGEM will conduct a pilot study of healthy volunteers (double-blind) after exposure to 5G carrier frequencies and modulation envelopes, to detect potential acute effects on physiological cell parameters, genetic material integrity and gene expression in human blood cells (RBC, lymphocytes).
- Umbrella review of neoplasia risks from EMF exposure in humans: NextGEM possess the methodological and subject-matter expertise required for a critical summary of findings from SRs of epidemiological and experimental studies of the effect of EMF exposure on cancer and also on reproductive outcomes, and will focus on these hazards.
- Health risk assessment: NextGEM will ensure this by a pronounced stakeholder involvement, integration of novel exposure and dosimetry methodologies for RF exposure assessment, and identification of health relevant markers in experimental bio-effects studies. A unique RA tool for use by different stakeholders will be developed and validated in case studies.
