CAREER: An artificial nervous system for in-body communication between wearable and implantable devices

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $499,896 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

Bioelectronic sensors and therapeutic actuators enable the real-time monitoring and treatment of wound healing, diabetes, and other critical conditions; however, therapeutic functionality combining these sensors and actuators together remains limited to wearable devices, such as the insulin pump. Unlocking communication with implantable devices could revolutionize treatment for neurodegeneration, sepsis, solid tumors, and other morbidities, but it is hindered by a lack of clinically relevant communication protocols. These protocols either rely on power-hungry systems (e.g. Bluetooth) which demand large batteries and short lifetimes that inhibit implantation, or large antennas for wireless power and data transfer that are too bulky for patient acceptance. This project aims to develop and optimize a communication platform for multiple wearable and implantable devices to network with each other throughout all tissue layers in the body. The scientific goal of this project is to optimize an emitter and receiver network between electromechanical wearable sensors and implantable actuators via computational and experimental approaches, including in vivo experiments in rodent models with potential applications in sciatic nerve stimulation and controlled drug delivery. A second goal of this proposal is to promote bioengineering and STEM post-secondary education by creating high school physics lesson plans describing how bioelectronics relate to physics principles and by hosting high

Key facts

NSF award ID
2439870
Awardee
Georgia Tech Research Corporation (GA)
SAM.gov UEI
EMW9FC8J3HN4
PI
Alex Abramson
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev, Bioelectronics, Sensor Technology
Estimated total
$499,896
Funds obligated
$499,896
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
06/15/2025 → 05/31/2030