Dynamics of water, biomaterials, and skin investigated by means of dielectric relaxation spectroscopy

Abstract

Recent developments in experimental techniques of dielectric spectroscopy are based on the new concept of broadband dynamics observed by using a broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) measuring system. BDS techniques are particularly effective for studying water structures in biological systems. Water molecules interacting with biomolecules show various behaviors of collective modes, and these behaviors are closely related to the macroscopic and microscopic properties and functions of biomaterials. This chapter discusses the basic concept of the dynamic behaviors of water structures obtained from experimental and analytical methods based on BDS. Observation techniques based on BDS solve some of the problems of observing dynamics. The physical picture of water structures and the interpretation of relaxation phenomena are suggested from dynamic hydrogen bonding (HB) networks, and the dynamic properties are also explained on the basis of the fractal concept. Although this concept is not perfect, it is a suitable approach for characterizing the dynamic behaviors of HB networks. Although the fractal approach has been applied to complex materials using various techniques, this approach also suggests the existence of a problem related to length scales in the observation of dynamic behaviors. Complementary approaches with various observation techniques will be very effective for solving such problems and for suggesting future applications.