One of the most exciting new ideas being proposed as part of future 6G’s (Sixth-Generation) push toward innovation is the incorporation of a biological layer. The introduction of the biological layer promises to usher in novel uses for communication and networking technologies in environments and at scales never before imaginable. The concept of a biological layer follows the development of the emergent nanoscale communication paradigms: molecular communication (MC) and Terahertz (THz) communication. MC, which takes its cues from natural signaling processes, is said to take a bottom-up approach, while THz is said to be more of a top-down one. These innovations have allowed engineers to expand the boundaries of information and communication theory into hitherto uncharted territory, such as the inside of the human body, water pipelines, and toxic gas chambers.

The Internet of Nano Things (IoNT) is being developed in response to the Internet of Things’ success and is expected to make use of MC and THz nanonetworks as its primary enabling technologies. As its name suggests, IoNT will consist of multiple nanonetwork sub-systems that use different nanoscale communication techniques. For instance, IoNT could consist of two different MC-based nanonetworks: diffusion-based and neuronal-based, or MC- and THz-based nanonetworks. Given the difference between these nanonetworks’ chosen modes of communication, there will be many obstacles to overcome before they can work together smoothly. There is also the difficulty of creating interfaces among/between nanonetworks and micro-/macro-scale networks. On the one hand, the development of realistic MC system components, experimental testbeds, and prototypes through cross-disciplinary approaches is needed to close the gap between theory and practice, and help accelerate the commercialization of this emerging technology. On the other hand, further development is needed for prototyping THz nanonetworks and setting up experimental testing infrastructures, developing protocols primarily for higher layers of the protocol stack, and security or localization. Lastly, sensing and computing at the nanoscale is still an open challenge.

Therefore, this Research Topic solicits start-of-the-art research outcomes that investigate, model, and propose solutions to potential challenges in order to realize the full potential of the IoNT that is motivated by, but not limited to, MC and THz technologies. We welcome original, survey and review contributions. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

− Protocol stack and framework of the 6G’s molecular/biological layer
− Modeling and characterization of channels for the sub-systems of an IoNT system
− Simulators and experiments /testbeds to validate the theoretical models
− Low-complexity PHY layer methods: signal processing, modulation, detection, source and channel coding, noise and ISI mitigation techniques
− Other higher layer techniques: Localization, multiple access, collision avoidance, latency reducing, molecular MIMO, cross-layer protocol, relaying and routing, and security techniques
− Interface between different MC techniques or bio-cyber interfaces between MC- and THz-based systems/conventional macroscale networks
− Nanoscale sensing and computing techniques
− Metasurfaces and graphene-based devices/systems
− Standards, datasets, and unified cross-disciplinary performance evaluation metrics
− Applications of AI/ML in IoNT systems
− Application fields: medicine, industry, environment, and defense

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Frontiers in Communications and Networks

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