ABSTRACT
The thermally stimulated discharge (TSD) method, intended for the analysis of charged dielectrics, was used for human blood research. Above-room-temperature TSD spectra of blood consist of three peaks. There are indications that the low-temperature peak (40-50 degrees C) corresponds to the thermally stimulated destruction of hydrate shells surrounding blood components while the mid-temperature peak (70-90 degrees C) is related to thermal denaturation of blood proteins. The intensive high-temperature peak (105-120 degrees C) is observed when a phase transition of blood, accompanied by the formation of a firm dry film of blood, occurs. The position of the high-temperature peak depends on the blood group. Data is discussed which suggests that the spontaneous "quasi-electret effect" of blood relates to the character of the biochemical processes taking place in human organisms. The TSD method might be used as simple and informative means of diagnostics in cooperation with medical and physical investigations.
