CSCE 458/858: Molecular and Nano Communications
Credit hours: 3
Instructor: Sasitharan Balasubramaniam
Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30–10:45 a.m.
Location: Kiewit Hall, room A445
Sasitharan Balasubramaniam
Associate Professor
Office: 109 Schorr Center
Phone: (402) 472-5007
Email: sasi@unl.edu
Description: The aim of this course is to develop an understanding in a new paradigm of communication and computing at the nano and micron scale using biological and organic materials. The focus will include developing communication systems using biological cells (e.g., bacteria, neurons) to communicate information. The course will also touch on new forms of molecular communication and computing using fluids, and new emerging storage technologies using DNA and methods to encode information. The course also includes nanoscale wireless communications using Thz spectrum, and how we can interface these miniature wireless devices to molecular communications or computing systems to realize a vision of the Internet of Bio-Nano Things. Novel healthcare and environmental monitoring applications as well as design on bio-hybrid computing systems will also be included in the course. Students will also be exposed to a group project to simulate the creation of Boolean logic AND and OR gates using bacterial cells.
Course Topics:
1. Overview of Molecular and Nanoscale Communication: from Motivation to Application
2. Diffusion-based Molecular Communications
3. Bacterial-based Molecular Communications
4. Molecular Motors
5. Molecular Communication in Neurons
6. Terahertz Nanonetworks
7. Microfluidic Molecular Communications
8. Digital DNA Storage
9. Internet of Nano and Bio-Nano Things