Introduction
The Internet of Nanothings (IoNT) represents a groundbreaking intersection of IoT and nanotechnology, shaped by leading technologists and researchers in fields like nano-engineering, wireless communication, and biomedical sciences. At its core, IoNT extends the conventional Internet of Things into nanoscale applications, incorporating ultra-small sensors and actuators developed by cutting-edge teams in nanorobotics, MEMS/NEMS, and materials science. These miniature devices enable unprecedented advancements in environmental monitoring, precision medicine, and industrial automation, reshaping how data is collected and processed at the molecular level.
Much like traditional IoT frameworks, IoNT aims to detect and transmit data efficiently. However, network architects and engineers working on IoNT face unique challenges due to its reliance on electromagnetic waves and molecular communication—a paradigm shift compared to conventional IoT data exchange. As seen in Fig. 2, experts in wireless nano-sensor networks develop low-power IoNT components, integrating them into body area networks (WBANs) and nanoscale gateways. Nano Nodes (NNs), designed by pioneers in sensor technology, serve as the fundamental sensing and actuation units. These nodes communicate in multi-hop networks, forming robust and adaptive nano-network architectures led by specialists in network security, energy harvesting, and quantum communication.
IoNT Architecture
The relentless pace of technological innovation—driven by researchers in chip design, embedded systems, and nanofabrication—has enabled a dramatic reduction in component size, paving the way for IoNT. Since the early 1990s, industry leaders and academic institutions have focused on miniaturizing electronics, a pursuit that led to groundbreaking nanoscale devices such as SmartDust, originally presented to DARPA in 1997 (Kahn, Katz & Pister, 2000). Initially intended for radio-frequency identification, SmartDust evolved into a pivotal technology for nano-sensor networks. This transformation required expertise in communication protocols, energy efficiency, and resilience to harsh environments (Warneke et al., 2001; Cook, Lanzisera & Pister, 2006).
Figure 3 illustrates a modern IoNT network, designed by researchers specializing in molecular communication and wireless sensor integration. Atakan, Galmes & Akan (2012) further explored an architectural model based on molecular array communication, demonstrating how interdisciplinary expertise is critical in IoNT system development. As this revolutionary network paradigm continues to evolve, researchers and engineers must address challenges in nano-scale security, power optimization, and long-range data transmission, ensuring IoNT fulfills its promise in fields such as biomedicine, environmental science, and smart infrastructure.
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