A Comprehensive Survey of Recent Advancements in Molecular Communication <s> D. Potential Applications <s> Although the sensing of chemical signals is extremely important for most living creatures there have been few attempts to transfer this capability to robotic systems. In order to operate effectively in the variable and unstructured real world environment insects employ many strategies. Generating and detecting odours is the basis of several of these strategies. It seems certain that similar techniques can be implemented to improve the competence of robotic systems. This paper describes the development of sensors and algorithms which will allow odour sensing to be applied to robotic systems. Currently a robotic and has been built to act as a testbed for the odour sensors and to investigate biologically inspired control algorithms. Design of this robot and results of odour trail following experiments are presented in this paper. <s> BIB001 </s> A Comprehensive Survey of Recent Advancements in Molecular Communication <s> D. Potential Applications <s> The authors have studied the emergent mechanism in insect behavior by using a robotic system. Since insects have a simpler nervous system than humans, it is an appropriate model for clarifying the above mechanism. In this study, the pheromone oriented behavior of male silkworm moths was shown by a pheromone-guided mobile robot which had male moth antennae that can detect sex pheromones. This study focuses on the pheromone sensor that used antennae from a living moth. Since the antennae of silkworm moths are very sensitive as compared to artificial gas sensors, they can be used as living gas sensors that can detect pheromone molecules. <s> BIB002 </s> A Comprehensive Survey of Recent Advancements in Molecular Communication <s> D. Potential Applications <s> We instrumented large civil engineering infrastructure items, such as bridges and tunnels, with sensors that monitor their operational performance and deterioration. In so doing we discovered that commercial offerings of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are still geared towards research prototypes and are currently not yet mature for deployment in practical scenarios. We distill the experience gained during this 3-year interdisciplinary project into specific advice for researchers and developers. We discuss problems and solutions in a variety of areas including sensor hardware, radio propagation, node deployment, system security and data visualization. We also point out the problems that are still open and that the community needs to address to enable widespread adoption of WSNs outside the research lab. <s> BIB003 </s> A Comprehensive Survey of Recent Advancements in Molecular Communication <s> D. Potential Applications <s> By exploiting recent advances in both our understanding of pheromone biosynthesis pathways and the detection of molecules in the insect nervous system, we are developing a novel communication system based on functional equivalents of the cellular, sub-cellular and molecular biological machinery. This will form the basis of a new branch of information technology employing infochemical ligands for communication over space and time. In order to achieve this objective, both chemical signal generation and reception are replicated by taking a systematic approach that implements reaction steps as biosynthetic modules, which are then hierarchically integrated as a technological solution towards realising ‘infochemical communication’. <s> BIB004 </s> A Comprehensive Survey of Recent Advancements in Molecular Communication <s> D. Potential Applications <s> Olfactory studies have expanded beyond the study of single compound odor perception to explore the processing of complex mixtures and blends. The spatiotemporal presentation of blend stimuli is a challenging task requiring volatiles with diverse chemical and physical properties to be presented as a unified stimulus. This not only necessitates accurate control of the timing and homogeneity of the odor stream, but requires attention to the concentration of each blend component presented. We have developed a novel, multicomponent stimulus system for use in olfactory experiments that is capable of presenting up to 8 different odors simultaneously or in sequence at defined concentrations and time scales. Each odor is separated to minimize physical or chemical interactions, and stimulations are performed from a saturated headspace of the odor solution. Stimulus concentrations can be measured empirically or estimated using common gas laws. Photoionization detector measurements show that stimuli could be presented as cohesive blends or single components at frequencies of at least 10Hz without leakage or contamination. Solid phase microextraction measurements also show that the concentration of each component could be equilibrated through regulation of each component line's flow rate based on the different partial vapor pressures of the odorants. This device provides a unique method for introducing complex volatile mixtures for olfactory studies in a variety of animal taxa and allows for accurate control of odor intensities in both time and space. <s> BIB005 </s> A Comprehensive Survey of Recent Advancements in Molecular Communication <s> D. Potential Applications <s> Infochemical production, release and detection of (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate, the major component of the pheromone of the moth Spodoptera littoralis, is achieved in a novel microfluidic system designed to mimic the final step of the pheromone biosynthesis by immobilized recombinant alcohol acetyl transferase. The microfluidic system is part of an “artificial gland”, i.e., a chemoemitter that comprises a microreactor connected to a microevaporator and is able to produce and release a pre-defined amount of the major component of the pheromone from the corresponding (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienol. Performance of the entire chemoemitter has been assessed in electrophysiological and behavioral experiments. Electroantennographic depolarizations of the pheromone produced by the chemoemitter were ca. 40% relative to that evoked by the synthetic pheromone. In a wind tunnel, the pheromone released from the evaporator elicited on males a similar attraction behavior as 3 virgin females in most of the parameters considered. <s> BIB006 </s> A Comprehensive Survey of Recent Advancements in Molecular Communication <s> D. Potential Applications <s> In this paper we present the development of a novel, biologically-inspired infochemical communication technology in which mixtures of infochemical ligands (in precisely controlled ratios) are used to encode multiple channels of information. Our research is inspired by infochemical production and information processing within the insect world, more specifically the moth Spodoptera littoralis. We have developed a highly innovative modular chemoemitter-receiver system, capable of information transmission using chemicals alone. The functionality of the combined infochemical communication system has been demonstrated, initially through the development of a proof-of-concept prototype based upon pre-synthesized compounds; and it will ultimately be demonstrated through a coordinated robotteam navigation task. <s> BIB007 </s> A Comprehensive Survey of Recent Advancements in Molecular Communication <s> D. Potential Applications <s> Recent applications of mobile robotics in odor detection field have driven an increasing interest of scientist and engineers. Several applications have been reported in areas as water and air monitoring; gas leakage detection; explosives, drugs or people detection and demining tasks, among others. Many robotic platforms (i.e. hardware and software) have been proposed to carry out an odor detection task however, in this field, this remains an open research. This research requires the development and evaluation of a robust mobile robotic platform which supports an odor sensory unit, as well as some development tools like PC communication, data saving and the odor delivery system. This work has been focused on this topic. A LabVIEW virtual instrument was developed to allow data acquisition from sensors as well as motor commands, via serial port. The platform was experimentally validated using two reactive Braitenberg inspired algorithms. <s> BIB008 </s> A Comprehensive Survey of Recent Advancements in Molecular Communication <s> D. Potential Applications <s> Mining and mineral exploration play important roles in the global economy. In mining operations, communication systems play vital roles in ensuring personnel safety, enhancing operational efficiency and process optimization. Over the period 1920-2012, this article surveys the evolution of wireless communications in underground mines, the developments of the underlying technology, and progress in understanding and modeling the underground wireless propagation channel. Current and future trends in technology, applications and propagation modeling are also identified. About ninety relevant references have been reviewed that consider: 1) the emergence of technology and applications, 2) analytical, numerical and measurement-based propagation modeling techniques, and 3) implications of the physical environment, antenna placement and radiation characteristics on wireless communication system design. Affected systems include narrowband, wideband/ultra-wideband (UWB) and multiple-antenna systems. The paper concludes by identifying open areas of research. <s> BIB009
There are some potential applications for macroscale molecular communication. However, because radio communication is a well developed and established technology, most applications must be in areas where radio communication is not possible or not desirable. For example in BIB003 , it is shown that current sensor network technology based on radio signals is not very reliable for some infrastructure monitoring applications. Moreover, there are still numerous problems that must be overcome for radio based communication in underground environments such as mines BIB009 . Finally, molecular communication system can be used for sending information in pipes and ducting systems which could be beneficial in different industries such as oil and gas. Macroscale molecular communication can also be used as a tool for studying animals and animal behavior. In nature animals rely on pheromones, which are essentially chemical signals, for simple communication  . For example, ants use chemical trails for navigation and tracking  . Inspired by nature, a number of works have used molecular communication to mimic pheromonal communication in insects  , BIB006 , BIB004 , BIB005 . Not only this could be a valuable tool to better understand animal behavior, it could also be potentially used to control these behaviors. Another potential application for macroscale molecular communication is in robotics, which was initially inspired from pheromonal communication and olfaction from nature BIB001 - BIB002 . Generally, previous works in this area can be divided into two main streams: pheromone based communication inspired by nature BIB002 - BIB007 , and plume or chemical tracking robots BIB001 ,  - BIB008 . Besides these applications, molecular communication can also be used for robotics search and rescue operations, and robot communication in harsh environments such as sewer systems.