Molecular Communication Systems in Nanonetworks

Molecular communication systems harness chemical or biological molecules to convey information between nanoscale devices, forming interconnected nanonetworks that mimic natural signalling processes. Messages are typically encoded in molecule type, concentration or release timing and propagate through environments by diffusion, convection or active transport. Receivers detect arriving molecules via surface receptors or biosensors, converting chemical signals into electrical or digital outputs. This paradigm offers unparalleled biocompatibility, energy efficiency and miniaturisation, enabling applications in targeted drug delivery, in vivo diagnostics, environmental monitoring and smart materials. Key challenges include channel variability, inter-symbol interference, limited data rates and the integration of signal processing and security at the molecular level. Recent advances in microfluidics, synthetic biology and nanofabrication are driving practical implementations, paving the way for the Internet of Bio-Nano Things and transformative biomedical and environmental technologies.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Researchers have developed a liquid-based microfluidic platform that realises real-time chemical signal processing for molecular communication. By tailoring microchannel geometries and specific reaction networks, the system performs bit-level operations: shaping transmitted signals, threshold detection, amplification and demodulation of concentration-encoded messages. Sodium hydroxide concentration was used to encode binary information, demonstrating reliable text transmission over extended distances while balancing data rate and error minimisation. This work establishes a blueprint for integrating signal processing directly in chemical domains without reliance on electronic intermediaries, advancing biocompatible communication units.

Another study has reported the fabrication of a nanoscale receiver based on graphene field-effect transistor biosensors integrated within a custom microfluidic testbed. Information was encoded onto single-stranded DNA concentration pulses, and the electrical response of the graphene transistor provided real-time detection of molecular signals. This represents the first practical micro/nanoscale molecular communication system with a fully characterised nanoscale receiver, offering empirical data to validate theoretical models and guide the development of robust Internet of Nano Things applications.

Molecular Communication Systems in Nanonetworks publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in molecular communication systems in nanonetworks across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Molecular Communication Systems: Communication paradigm using molecules as information carriers between nanoscale devices.

Nanonetworks: Interconnected systems of nanoscale devices that communicate and collaborate.

Microfluidic Channel: Miniaturised fluidic pathway enabling controlled transport and reaction of chemical signals.

Field-Effect Transistor Biosensor: Device that transduces biochemical interactions into electrical signals via a transistor with a biologically sensitive gate.

Modulation: Encoding information into properties of molecules, such as concentration or release timing.

Demodulation: Decoding molecular signals back into digital or analog data at a receiver.

Inter-Symbol Interference: Overlap of successive molecular signal pulses causing decoding errors due to channel memory effects.

Internet of Bio-Nano Things: Network of biological or bio-integrated nano-devices communicating through molecular and conventional channels.

References

1. Real-time signal processing via chemical reactions for a microfluidic molecular communication system. Nature Communications (2023).
2. Fabrication and microfluidic analysis of graphene-based molecular communication receiver for Internet of Nano Things (IoNT). Scientific Reports (2021).
3. Tabletop Molecular Communication: Text Messages through Chemical Signals. PLOS ONE (2013).
4. A Survey of Molecular Communication in Cell Biology: Establishing a New Hierarchy for Interdisciplinary Applications. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials (2021).
5. PANACEA: An Internet of Bio-NanoThings Application for Early Detection and Mitigation of Infectious Diseases. IEEE Access (2020).