Advanced Micro & Nano systems enabling pHealth: R&D under the EU-Information & Communication Technologies Program

Micro and Nano systems (MNS) under the European Union (EU) R&D Programs, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) priority, focuses on heterogeneous integration of technologies (e.g. electronics, mechanics and biotechnology) and implementation of multiple functionalities (e.g. sensing, processing, communication, energy and actuation) into small systems. A large amount of MNS activities targets development and testing of systems enabling biomedicine and personal health solutions. These projects are mainly dealing with micro-nano-bio converging systems (MNBS) developing innovative solutions for in-vitro testing, such as lab-on-chip, and systems interacting with the human body such as autonomous implants and microrobots for diagnosis and minimally invasive surgery support. Of particular interest MNS are smart wearable systems such as Smart Fabrics & Interactive Textiles (SFIT) aiming at the full integration of sensors/actuators, energy sources, processing and communication within the clothes to enable non-invasive personal health, lifestyle, safety and emergency applications. The paper presents on going major R&D activities in MNBS and SFIT for pHealth, identifies gaps and discusses key challenges for the future.