About this Research Topic
The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) has ushered an era of renewed hope in the medical field, with novel microelectronic and antenna applications in implantable devices drastically expanding the capabilities for live monitoring and response with much more positive outcomes in the survivability and comfort of patients. Beyond all other types of biomedical instruments, implants fully benefit from the technical advantages inherent in modern microelectronics: complex functional capabilities, high reliability, lower power drain, and greatly diminished size and weight. Nevertheless, a key factor that is often neglected is the overall cost of manufacturing such highly efficient systems, in order for their therapeutic benefits to be widely accessible and affordable. In this, the gaining momentum of novel disruptive technologies, such as additive manufacturing (AM), comes into play by supporting hybrid biocompatible materials and advanced architectures that take advantage of the inherent capabilities of the new manufacturing technologies. Alongside the increasingly more sophisticated hardware, we also focus on software developments, ranging from adaptive monitoring and control to fully specialized design tools that push the limits of what is possible in microelectronic applications for biomedical therapeutics.
This thematic collection explores the following interconnected aspects of microelectronic and antenna applications in biomedical engineering:
i) Manufacturing technologies that range from classic screen-printing and photochemical etching to additive manufacturing in its various forms: from basic FFF (fused filament fabrication) and SLA/DLP (stereolithography / digital light processing), to high-end MBJ (materials binder jetting) and micro-nano laser fabrication methods, such as SLS/SLM (selective laser sintering / melting) and DLW (direct laser writing).
ii) Software tools that enable and support the development of complex designs tailored to the specific manufacturing technology: high-end packages dedicated to design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms (such as nTopology™, Fusion™, ANSYS™, and Rhino™), to custom applications such as Reform™ for the direct import of MRI scans for the printing of phantoms.
iii) Advanced architectures that target increased functionality, efficiency, and biocompatibility, such as biomimetic and fractal designs among others.
iv) Custom materials with increased biocompatibility and other specific properties (e.g., low-weight, low-density, high-area, tailored-porosity) for targeted applications and manufacturing methods, such as biopolymers and ceramics.
v) Complex systems that combine various methodologies and/or technologies for targeted biomedical applications, such as 3D-printed phantoms for surgical preparation and training to functional implants with wireless monitoring functionality via embedded micro-antennas.
Original research articles, comprehensive reviews, case studies, and methodological advancements are of interest. Authors are encouraged to present novel findings or practical applications that significantly contribute to the advancement of microelectronics and antennas for biomedical applications, including implants with tailored properties.
This thematic collection explores the following interconnected aspects of microelectronic and antenna applications in biomedical engineering:
i) Manufacturing technologies that range from classic screen-printing and photochemical etching to additive manufacturing in its various forms: from basic FFF (fused filament fabrication) and SLA/DLP (stereolithography / digital light processing), to high-end MBJ (materials binder jetting) and micro-nano laser fabrication methods, such as SLS/SLM (selective laser sintering / melting) and DLW (direct laser writing).
ii) Software tools that enable and support the development of complex designs tailored to the specific manufacturing technology: high-end packages dedicated to design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms (such as nTopology™, Fusion™, ANSYS™, and Rhino™), to custom applications such as Reform™ for the direct import of MRI scans for the printing of phantoms.
iii) Advanced architectures that target increased functionality, efficiency, and biocompatibility, such as biomimetic and fractal designs among others.
iv) Custom materials with increased biocompatibility and other specific properties (e.g., low-weight, low-density, high-area, tailored-porosity) for targeted applications and manufacturing methods, such as biopolymers and ceramics.
v) Complex systems that combine various methodologies and/or technologies for targeted biomedical applications, such as 3D-printed phantoms for surgical preparation and training to functional implants with wireless monitoring functionality via embedded micro-antennas.
Original research articles, comprehensive reviews, case studies, and methodological advancements are of interest. Authors are encouraged to present novel findings or practical applications that significantly contribute to the advancement of microelectronics and antennas for biomedical applications, including implants with tailored properties.
Keywords: Antenna Design for Biomedical Devices, Micro-Antennas in Implants, Advanced Antenna Architectures, Biocompatible Antenna Materials, Manufacturing Methods for Biomedical Antennas, Antenna Technologies for Biomedical Applications.
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