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Metasurfaces for bioelectronics and healthcare

Nature Electronics volume 4, pages 382–391 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Bioelectronic systems typically rely on radiofrequency wireless components to interface with the human body, but such components are bulky and energy-demanding, which limits the performance of the systems. Metasurfaces—artificial two-dimensional materials with subwavelength structure—can be engineered to control electromagnetic fields around the human body and could be used to overcome the current limitations of bioelectronic interfaces. Here we review the development of metasurfaces for bioelectronics, and explore their potential for application in current and emerging healthcare technologies. We examine the use of metasurfaces to control electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of the human body, and discuss their application in microwave imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, biosensors, body networks and wireless power transfer. We also consider developments in materials science and artificial intelligence that can enhance the properties of metasurfaces for bioelectronics.

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Fig. 1: Metasurfaces in bioelectronic applications.
Fig. 2: Metasurfaces for electromagnetic control around the body.
Fig. 3: Metasurfaces for electromagnetic control on the body.
Fig. 4: Metasurfaces for electromagnetic control in the body.
Fig. 5: Emerging research directions.

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Acknowledgements

J.S.H. acknowledges support from the National Research Foundation Singapore (NRFF2017-07), Ministry of Education Singapore (MOE2016-T3-1-004) and Institute for Health Innovation and Technology grants.

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  1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    Zhipeng Li, Xi Tian, Cheng-Wei Qiu & John S. Ho

  2. The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    John S. Ho

  3. Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    John S. Ho

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Li, Z., Tian, X., Qiu, CW. et al. Metasurfaces for bioelectronics and healthcare. Nat Electron 4, 382–391 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41928-021-00589-7

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