Technology Category
Machine Learning: Bio-inspired LearningMultiagent Systems: Agent CommunicationApplication Domains: Internet of Things, Sensor Networks & Smart Cities
Low-cost Microfluidic Testbed for Molecular Communications with Integrated Hydrodynamic Gating and Screen-printed Sensors
🤖 AI Summary
Molecular communication (MC) in biomedical Internet-of-Bio-Nano-Things (IoBNT) applications is hindered by high-cost, inflexible, and non-customizable experimental platforms. To address this, we propose a reconfigurable microfluidic MC testbed costing approximately USD 1 per unit and fabricable within one hour. It uniquely integrates low-cost, double-sided-tape-based hydrodynamic gating with functionalizable screen-printed potentiometric sensors. The platform enables on-demand sensor modification (e.g., polyaniline functionalization), precise pH-pulse control, and quaternary concentration-shift keying (4-ary CSK) modulation. Experimental evaluation demonstrates end-to-end reliable transmission with a bit error rate below 10⁻³, validating its practicality and scalability for IoBNT scenarios. This work overcomes critical cost and flexibility bottlenecks in MC experimentation, establishing a new paradigm for low-cost, highly adaptable biosensing and molecular communication research.
Technology Category
Application Category
📝 Abstract
Molecular Communications (MC), transferring information via chemical signals, holds promise for transformative healthcare applications within the Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT) framework. Despite promising advances toward practical MC systems, progress has been constrained by experimental testbeds that are costly, difficult to customize, and require labor-intensive fabrication. Here, we address these challenges by introducing a low-cost ($sim$$1 per unit), rapidly fabricated ($<$1 hour), and highly customizable microfluidic testbed that integrates hydrodynamic gating and screen-printed potentiometric sensors. This platform enables precise spatiotemporal control over chemical signals and supports reconfigurable channel architectures along with on-demand sensor functionalization. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate a pH-based MC system combining a polyaniline (PANI)-functionalized sensor for real-time signal detection with a programmable hydrodynamic gating architecture, patterned in a double-sided adhesive tape, as the transmitter. By dynamically mixing phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) with an acidic solution (pH 3), the testbed reliably generates pH-encoded pulses. Experimental results confirm robust control over pulse amplitude and pulse width, enabling the simulation of end-to-end MC scenarios with 4-ary concentration shift keying (CSK) modulation. By combining affordability and rapid prototyping without compromising customizability, this platform is poised to accelerate the translation of MC concepts into practical IoBNT applications.
Problem
Research questions and friction points this paper is trying to address.
Molecular Communication
Biological Nanoscale Internet of Things
Cost and Complexity
Innovation
Methods, ideas, or system contributions that make the work stand out.
Microfluidic Device
Molecular Communication
Polyaniline Sensor
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