ScaLeITN · Scalable Localization-enabled In-body Terahertz Nanonetwork

Scalable Localization-enabled In-body Terahertz Nanonetwork

The main scientific goal of the ScaLeITN project was to propose a terahertz-operating in-body nanonetwork that features localization and two-way communication capabilities. Such a network is envisioned to eventually enable a variety of novel healthcare applications ranging from early (localized) detection of viruses, bacteria, cancerous cells and tissues, to targeted drug delivery and nano surgeries. For enabling the above applications, nano-machines comprising an in-body nanonetwork are envisioned to flow through the body, take actions at certain locations or upon commands, and communicate results to a more powerful body-area network. Given the small sizes of these nanodevices, harvesting surrounding energy (e.g., from heartbeats or blood currents) was envisioned to be their sole powering option. Due to their constrained energy and tiny form factors, these nanodevices were assumed to be passively flowing, i.e., without the possibility of mechanical steering toward the target locations. To support controlling the nanodevices upon reaching their target locations, there was intuitively a need for knowing their current locations. Equally intuitive, there was a need for communication between the outside world and the nanodevice (e.g., for issuing control commands), as well as between the nanodevice and the outside world (e.g., for delivering device’s readings). One of the most promising enablers for communication in such scenario is to utilize electromagnetic signals in the terahertz frequencies. This is because the communication in these frequencies allows for tiny transceiver and antenna form-factors, the prime requirement for in-body nanodevices. However, the terahertz band has its peculiarities, primarily pertaining to high attenuation and spreading loss. Combined with constrained powering of nanonodes relying only on energy harvesting, communication between the body area network and the in-body nanodevices was all but clear at the time the ScaLeITN project was conceptualized. At the same time, the main educational and career development aims of the project were to expand the existing set of expertise of the MSCA fellow. This was a rather heterogeneous aim, which included i) enhancing the scientific portfolio of the fellow along a set of complementary yet heterogeneous technical domains, ii) obtaining first experiences in supervision of the PhD, MSc, and BSc students, as well as in teaching at the university level, iii) organization of scientific events with the aim of enhancing the visibility of the fellow and the project, iv) enhancing the fellow’s understanding of the possibility of the valorisation of the main results of the project, as well as enhancing the his expertise in terms of developing scientific proposals and acquiring further funding.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union