Molecular Communication: An important breakthrough- Text message using Vodka??

"A major breakthrough in communication making impossible to possible :) "

Scientists at the University of Warwick in the UK and the York University in Canada, have developed a molecular communications system for the transmission of messages and data in the toughest environments. This technique can be used for a wide range of applications where the EM (electromagnetic waves) waves cannot be  used. For example, underground structures such as pipelines, tunnels or in underwater environments. 

The need for conveying information over a distance, especially in hard environments has always been a difficult task. Many techniques were brought, for e.g.: em waves, electrical signals, smoke signals etc. As we know the modern communication systems depend mainly on electrical and em signals. But there are many applications and extremely small dimensions where these technologies are not up to the task. 

Now the Scientists came back to the nature asking for help. Inspired by the nature, they developed a technique where chemical signals are used as carriers, which is referred as molecular communication. Another important factor is, they can be used at micro and nano scales. Molecular communication signals are bio compatible and they need only very little energy to generate and propagate. Moreover its much more cost effective, simple and robust. 

Any communication system can be broken into three major parts: the transmitter, the receiver and the channel. The transmitter send information in the form of discrete signals, which can be a string of binary numbers to the receiver. The transmitter also uses an encoder to encode the information. A channel encoder block is usually used at the transmitter end which introduces redundancy by adding extra bits. The receiver in turn have a decoder to do the reverse process. In between a modulation process happens where the transmitter modulate the channel signals on to carrier signal and release it for propagation in the channel. The channel might could be a wire where electrical signals propagate or air with em waves. In between these transmissions a number of interferences or disturbances can happen that might affect the information. Hence such a transmission, reception system cannot be used efficiently in extremely hard environments. 

 Scientists now brought a new system where the transmitter takes the input message, converts into a sequence of binary bits and modulates them on a chemical signal for propagation in the channel. The transmitter system consists of Arduino Uno open-source electronics prototyping platform, which is an ATmega328 based micro controller board. To convert the test message to binary sequence, they used International Telegraph Alphabet No.2 standard, where every letter is represented using five bits. To modulate the channel symbols into chemical signals, they use an electronic spray called DuroBlast made by Durotech Industries. At the receiver end too they use Arduino Uno open-source micro controller for programming and controlling receiver operations. 

Transmitter Design

Receiver Design

The first demonstration signal was performed in Canada and was 'O Canada,' from the Canadian national anthem. It was sent several metres across open space before it was decoded by a receiver. The scientists believe this technique can be used widely for a number of applications in hostile underground environments to nanotechnology. I cant wait for more... :) :D  

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