Exhaled Breath Analysis Through the Lens of Molecular Communication: A Survey
Journal:
arXiv
Published Date:
Apr 25, 2025
Abstract
Molecular Communication (MC) has long been envisioned to enable an Internet
of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT) with medical applications, where nanomachines within
the human body conduct monitoring, diagnosis, and therapy at micro- and
nanoscale levels. MC involves information transfer via molecules and is
supported by well-established theoretical models. However, practically
achieving reliable, energy-efficient, and bio-compatible communication at these
scales still remains a challenge. Air-Based Molecular Communication (ABMC) is a
type of MC that operates over larger, meter-scale distances and extends even
outside the human body. Therefore, devices and techniques to realize ABMC are
readily accessible, and associated use cases can be very promising in the near
future. Exhaled breath analysis has previously been proposed. It provides a
non-invasive approach for health monitoring, leveraging existing commercial
sensor technologies and reducing deployment barriers. The breath contains a
diverse range of molecules and particles that serve as biomarkers linked to
various physiological and pathological conditions. The plethora of proven
methods, models, and optimization approaches in MC enable macroscale breath
analysis, treating human as the transmitter, the breath as the information
carrier, and macroscale sensors as the receiver. Using ABMC to interface with
the inherent dynamic networks of cells, tissues, and organs could create a
novel Internet of Bio Things (IoBT), a preliminary macroscale stage of the
IoBNT. This survey extensively reviews exhaled breath modeling and analysis
through the lens of MC, offering insights into theoretical frameworks and
practical implementations from ABMC, bringing the IoBT a step closer to
real-world use.
