A Computational Framework to Model and Characterize a Molecular to Electrical Communication Interface based on Redox Reactions

Authors

Karthik Reddy GorlaFollow

First Advisor

Dr. Massimiliano Pierobon

Date of this Version

8-2019

Document Type

Article

Citation

Karthik Reddy, G. (2019). A Computational Framework to Model and Characterize a Molecular to Electrical Communication Interface based on Redox reactions (Master's Thesis)

Comments

A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science, Major: Computer Science. Under the Supervision of Professor Massimiliano Pierobon. Lincoln, Nebraska: August, 2019

Copyright 2019 Karthik Reddy Gorla

Abstract

For more than a decade, Molecular Communication (MC), inspired by the natural way biological cells communicate, has been studied in engineering as the key paradigm for realizing computing and information systems increasingly integrated with biology. Broad application scenarios range from medical diagnostics and treatment, to biocompatible device and systems engineering. The research described in this thesis focuses on the engineering of a recently proposed technology able to transduce information from the MC domain to the electrical domain of classical circuits and systems. In particular, this is based on electrochemistry, i.e., chemical processes in living systems, called redox, where molecules exchange electrons. Based on these processes and a proof-of-concept prototype realized by our research collaborators, this thesis addresses the challenge of realizing a computational framework to enable a subsequent optimization and forward-engineering of such system. In the scope of this thesis, a framework is developed to simulate the transduction of information signals from MC to electrical domains, as well as operate the estimation of experimental parameters. Numerical results from this framework, realized in the MATLAB Simulink platform, are presented along with experimental results to validate this approach. While at its preliminary stage, this framework has the potential to be foundational towards the engineering of bio-hybrid electronics for the aforementioned applications.

Adviser: Massimiliano Pierobon