Internet of Bio-Nano Things: A Review of Applications, Enabling Technologies and Key Challenges (2112.09249v1)

Abstract: Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT) is envisioned to be a heterogeneous network of nanoscale and biological devices, so called Bio-Nano Things (BNTs), communicating via non-conventional means, e.g., molecular communications (MC), in non-conventional environments, e.g., inside human body. The main objective of this emerging networking framework is to enable direct and seamless interaction with biological systems for accurate sensing and control of their dynamics in real time. This close interaction between bio and cyber domains with unprecedentedly high spatio-temporal resolution is expected to open up vast opportunities to devise novel applications, especially in healthcare area, such as intrabody continuous health monitoring. There are, however, substantial challenges to be overcome if the enormous potential of the IoBNT is to be realized. These range from developing feasible nanocommunication and energy harvesting techniques for BNTs to handling the big data generated by IoBNT. In this survey, we attempt to provide a comprehensive overview of the IoBNT framework along with its main components and applications. An investigation of key technological challenges is presented together with a detailed review of the state-of-the-art approaches and a discussion of future research directions.

• The paper reviews the emerging concept of the Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT), covering its envisioned applications, enabling technologies, and key technical challenges.
• IoBNT systems comprise natural and artificial Bio-Nano Things (BNTs) that primarily communicate using molecular communication (MC), offering potential in areas like intrabody health monitoring.
• Realizing IoBNT faces significant technical challenges, including developing robust communication methods like MC, efficient energy harvesting, seamless interfacing technologies, and ensuring biocompatibility for integration in biological environments.

Overview of Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT)

The paper, "Internet of Bio-Nano Things: A Review of Applications, Enabling Technologies, and Key Challenges," addresses the emerging concept of the Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT), which is envisioned as networks of nanoscale and biological devices, referred to as Bio-Nano Things (BNTs), that communicate through unconventional means such as molecular communications (MC) in non-traditional environments like the human body. This concept aims to enable direct interaction with biological systems, facilitating real-time sensing and control, particularly in healthcare, by offering applications such as intrabody continuous health monitoring.

Potential and Challenges

The IoBNT's promise lies in its potential to revolutionize various sectors, notably healthcare, through the development of sophisticated applications based on the seamless integration of BNTs. However, realizing this potential requires overcoming significant challenges. These challenges include the development of viable communication techniques, efficient energy harvesting methods, and solutions for managing the massive data generated by IoBNT systems.

Fundamental Components

The paper outlines the fundamental components of IoBNT, which include natural systems such as nervous and bacterial nanonetworks, and artificial BNTs like engineered bacteria and nanomaterial-based devices. Each of these components presents unique opportunities and technical challenges.

1. Natural IoBNT Systems: Leveraging the communication mechanisms found in natural systems, like the nervous and plant networks, offers valuable insights into developing efficient communication and networking strategies for artificial BNTs.
2. Bio-Nano Things (BNTs): These encompass both naturally derived components such as cells and synthetic constructs such as molecular nanomachines. The diversity allows for a wide range of sensing, processing, and communicative functionalities tailored to specific applications.
3. Molecular Communications (MC): This method represents the most promising communication strategy for IoBNT due to its energy efficiency and robustness in biological settings. It stands as an alternative to traditional electromagnetic-based communication, which faces significant challenges in nanoscale applications due to antenna size and bio-compatibility issues.

Applications

The IoBNT framework opens numerous application avenues, particularly in biomedicine, by enabling real-time monitoring of physiological conditions within the human body. Smart agriculture and environmental monitoring also benefit from the precise control and monitoring capabilities offered by IoBNT, promoting efficient resource management and reduction of environmental pollutants.

Technical Challenges

The realization of IoBNT applications hinges on overcoming several technical obstacles:

• Communication Methods: Efficient communication within IoBNT necessitates addressing issues such as noise, channel memory effects, and molecular interference in MC systems. THz-band electromagnetic communications and acoustic methods are considered, each with inherent limitations and contexts for feasibility.
• Energy Management: BNTs demand innovative energy harvesting techniques to operate independently and sustainably. Potential solutions lie in exploiting ambient energy sources such as thermal, mechanical, or biochemical energies prevalent in the human body.
• Interfacing Technologies: Developing robust interfaces that can convert biochemical signals to electrical or optical signals and vice versa is crucial for connecting BNTs to macro-networks, thereby enabling data transfer across different domains.
• Biocompatibility: Ensuring harmonious integration of artificial BNTs into biological environments is paramount to avoid adverse biological responses, which could compromise both the BNT functionality and host health.

Future Directions

The paper underscores that the path forward for IoBNT involves addressing these challenges through interdisciplinary research and technological advancements. As such, the exploration and adoption of IoBNT hold the potential for significant advancements in personalized medicine, environmental monitoring, and smart agriculture, highlighting a transformative step in interfacing technology with biological entities at the nano-scale. While challenges remain, the continuous research efforts in this domain suggest a promising future for IoBNT.