Toward a Wired Ad Hoc Nanonetwork

Nanomachines promise to enable new medical applications, including drug delivery and real time chemical reactions' detection inside the human body. Such complex tasks need cooperation between nanomachines using a communication network. Wireless Ad hoc networks, using molecular or electromagnetic-based communication have been proposed in the literature to create flexible nanonetworks between nanomachines. In this paper, we propose a Wired Ad hoc NanoNETwork (WANNET) model design using actin-based nano-communication. In the proposed model, actin filaments self-assembly and disassembly is used to create flexible nanowires between nanomachines, and electrons are used as carriers of information. We give a general overview of the application layer, Medium Access Control (MAC) layer and a physical layer of the model. We also detail the analytical model of the physical layer using actin nanowire equivalent circuits, and we present an estimation of the circuit component's values. Numerical results of the derived model are provided in terms of attenuation, phase and delay as a function of the frequency and distances between nanomachines. The maximum throughput of the actin-based nanowire is also provided, and a comparison between the maximum throughput of the proposed WANNET, vs other proposed approaches is presented. The obtained results prove that the proposed wired ad hoc nanonetwork can give a very high achievable throughput with a smaller delay compared to other proposed wireless molecular communication networks.Comment: submitted to IEEE International Conference on Communications 2020 (ICC 2020

QCM Measurements of RH with Nanostructured Carbon-Based Materials: Part 2-Experimental Characterization

In this series of two papers, the humidity sensing of a carbon nanotube (CNT) network-based material is transduced and studied through quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurements. To this aim, quartzes functionalized with different amounts of sensing material were realized, exposed to different humidity levels, and characterized. In this second paper, the experimental results are presented and discussed. The sensing mechanisms are elucidated exploiting the theory presented in the first paper of this series. The presented results show that the investigated material functionalization induces a large response of QCM to humidity in terms of resonant frequency even at low RH levels, with a sensitivity of about 12 Hz/%RH (at RH < 30% and room temperature and 10 ug of deposited SWCNT solution) and an increase in sensitivity in the high RH range typical of nanostructured film. Regarding the response in terms of motional resistance, a large response is obtained only at intermediate and high humidity levels, confirming that condensation of water in the film plays an important role in the sensing mechanism of nanostructured materials

Nanomechanical system meets ultra-small, robust, and ultra-low-powered digital communication receiver

Nanomechanical systems offer a versatile platform for both fundamental science and industrial applications. Resonating vibration has been demonstrated to enable an ultrasensitive detection of various physical quantities, with emerging applications including signal processing, biological detection and fundamental tests of quantum mechanics. It has also been shown that the mechanical vibration of a nanoscale cantilever can be used to detect electromagnetic analogue-modulated waves. However, signals obtained with nanoscale receivers are so weak that the data transfer often fails; to the best of our knowledge, no successful practical demonstration has yet been reported. Here, we present the first experimental demonstration of the use of nanomechanical systems for digital data transfer with a digital image. Furthermore, our fabrication method achieved a tiny gap around field emitter of vibrational nano-antenna, which enables the receiver to work with quite a low power consumption, on the order of 10nW

Wire Up on Carbon Nanostructures! How To Play a Winning Game

Carbon nanotubes and graphene possess a unique extended \u3c0-system that makes them stand out among carbon nanostructures. The resulting electronic properties enable electron or charge flow along one or two directions, respectively, thus offering the opportunity to connect electronically different entities that come into contact, be they living cells or catalytic systems. Using these carbon nanostructures thus holds great promise in providing innovative solutions to address key challenges in the fields of medicine and energy. Here, we discuss how chemical functionalization of these carbon nanostructures is a crucial tool to master their properties and deliver innovation

On the Strength of the Carbon Nanotube-Based Space Elevator Cable: From Nano- to Mega-Mechanics

In this paper different deterministic and statistical models, based on new quantized theories proposed by the author, are presented to estimate the strength of a real, thus defective, space elevator cable. The cable, of ~100 megameters in length, is composed by carbon nanotubes, ~100 nanometers long: thus, its design involves from the nano- to the mega-mechanics. The predicted strengths are extensively compared with the experiments and the atomistic simulations on carbon nanotubes available in the literature. All these approaches unequivocally suggest that the megacable strength will be reduced by a factor at least of ~70% with respect to the theoretical nanotube strength, today (erroneously) assumed in the cable design. The reason is the unavoidable presence of defects in a so huge cable. Preliminary in silicon tensile experiments confirm the same finding. The deduced strength reduction is sufficient to pose in doubt the effective realization of the space elevator, that if built as today designed will surely break (according to the s opinion). The mechanics of the cable is also revised and possibly damage sources discussed

Carbon nanotubes as interconnect for next generation network on chip

Multi-core processors provide better performance when compared with their single-core equivalent. Recently, Networks-on-Chip (NoC) have emerged as a communication methodology for multi core chips. Network-on-Chip uses packet based communication for establishing a communication path between multiple cores connected via interconnects. Clock frequency, energy consumption and chip size are largely determined by these interconnects. According to the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS), in the next five years up to 80% of microprocessor power will be consumed by interconnects. In the sub 100nm scaling range, interconnect behavior limits the performance and correctness of VLSI systems. The performance of copper interconnects tend to get reduced in the sub 100nm range and hence we need to examine other interconnect options. Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes exhibit better performance in sub 100nm processing technology due to their very large current carrying capacity and large electron mean free paths. This work suggests using Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNT) as interconnects for Networks-on-Chip as they consume less energy and gives more throughput and bandwidth when compared with traditional Copper wires

Regulating nanotechnologies: risk, uncertainty and the global governance gap

This article builds on research for a two-year project on nanotechnology regulation in the US and Europe (2008–09), which was funded by the European Commission. We are grateful to our collaborators in this project, at the London School of Economics, Chatham House, Environmental Law Institute and Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, and especially Linda Breggin, Jay Pendergrass and Read Porter. We also received helpful suggestions from three anonymous reviewers and would like to thank them for their advice. Any remaining errors are our own. Nanosciences and nanotechnologies are set to transform the global industrial landscape, but the debate on how to regulate environmental, health and safety risks is lagging behind technological innovation. Current regulatory efforts are primarily focused on the national and regional level, while the international dimensions of nanotechnology governance are still poorly understood and rarely feature on the international agenda. However, with the ongoing globalization of nanosciences and the rapid expansion of international trade in nanomaterials, demand for international coordination and harmonization of regulatory approaches is set to increase. Yet, uncertainty about nanotechnology risk poses a profound dilemma for regulators and policy-makers. Uncertainty both creates demand for and stands in the way of greater international cooperation and harmonization of regulatory approaches. This article reviews the emerging debate on nanotechnology risk and regulatory approaches, investigates the current state of international cooperation and outlines the critical contribution that a global governance approach can make to the safe development of nanotechnologie

Estudi comparatiu de la publicació científica de la UPC i l’ETSETB vs. altres universitats (2006-2016)

L'informe es centra en la publicació científica especialitzada en l'àmbit temàtic propi de l'ETSETB: l'enginyeria de telecomunicacions i l'electrònica. Es comparen indicadors bibliomètrics de la UPC i l'ETSETB amb els d'altres universitats nacionals, europees i internacionals amb activitat de recerca notable en l'àrea de les telecomunicacions i l'electrònica.Postprint (published version

ACS Sens

Nanotechnology-enabled sensors (or nanosensors) will play an important role in enabling the progression toward ubiquitous information systems as the Internet of Things (IoT) emerges. Nanosensors offer new, miniaturized solutions in physiochemical and biological sensing that enable increased sensitivity, specificity, and multiplexing capability, all with the compelling economic drivers of low cost and high-energy efficiency. In the United States, Federal agencies participating in the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) "Nanotechnology for Sensors and Sensors for Nanotechnology: Improving and Protecting Health, Safety, and the Environment" Nanotechnology Signature Initiative (the Sensors NSI), address both the opportunity of using nanotechnology to advance sensor development and the challenges of developing sensors to keep pace with the increasingly widespread use of engineered nanomaterials. This perspective article will introduce and provide background on the NNI signature initiative on sensors. Recent efforts by the Sensors NSI aimed at promoting the successful development and commercialization of nanosensors will be reviewed and examples of sensor nanotechnologies will be highlighted. Future directions and critical challenges for sensor development will also be discussed.CC999999/Intramural CDC HHS/United States2017-03-01T00:00:00Z28261665PMC533213