Metasurface and Machine Learning Assisted Fully Functional SWIPT System and Flexible WBAN Sensors for Practical e-Health Applications

Faculty-development competitive research grants program for 2023-2025

The successful operation and deployment of e-Health infrastructure is heavily reliant on communication devices whose backbone are WIPT systems. Furthermore, the ability of the WIPT to simultaneously operate as both the power and information transfer module, i.e. as SWIPT, can really give a renewed impetus to the mass deployment of e-Health schemes. The main aim of this project, therefore, is to develop for the first time a fully functional SWIPT system that is robust, highly efficient, and reliable in order to facilitate the advancement of the realization schemes for e-Health. To support the further advancements in e-Health infrastructure, flexible substrates and additive manufacturing techniques will be investigated for the design of antennas for WBAN. In brief, following are the key objectives of this research project:
a. Development of generic schemes to develop fully functional SWIPT system for e-Health applications
b. Development of reliability, robustness, efficiency, accuracy, and cost effectiveness mechanism for the proposed SWIPT technique
c. Investigation of flexible substrates and additive manufacturing techniques for the design of high-performance sensors for various WBAN scenarios such as the on-body to off-body communication, the on-body to on-body communication, and the in-body to on-body communication
d. Development of an e-Health infrastructure demonstrator that makes use of novel SWIPT system and novel WBAN sensors innovated during the course of this project
e. Establishment of biomedical RF hardware group within the strategic 5G/6G research center at Nazarbayev University (NU)
f. Training of the next generation of researchers in the domain of broad RF tools and techniques to support the Kazakhstan government’s initiative of communication hardware segment in the country

Both WPT and SWIPT are emerging technology across the globe. The e-Health maturing will provide definite benefits to both the government and private health service providers as they will be able to reach out to many potential patients seamlessly. Furthermore, some of the results can be directly replicated for the electric vehicle segment which is also a burgeoning sector.

a. The proposed SWIPT system and WBAN is intended for ready use in e-Health applications. This could be a significant contribution towards the national e-Health programs in Kazakhstan and to the SWIPT systems design paradigm worldwide. As far as innovation and research for commercialization are concerned, the proposed designs will become a modern practical SWIPT for e-Health facilitated through WBAN networks.
b.This competitive research program will lay the groundwork for the development of advanced knowledge and know-how that will impact future advanced SWIPT technology. With its emphasis on disruptive and enabling technologies, the research project has the potential of generating valuable knowledge in the areas of wireless communications, in particular the WBAN network, SWIPT systems, ML, and MS. By embarking on the development of this promising technology, Kazakhstan will provide innovation and worldwide leadership positions in this very important sector by:
i. Empowering the Kazakh industrial sectors and government R&D agencies with the know-how and expertise gained during this project through direct technology transfer.
ii. Consolidating the synergy between the academic community and commercial entities.
iii. This team comprises a rare combination of researchers spanning several key areas related to healthcare and wireless communication technologies. The proposed research will also promote the team’s role and reputation with respect to the training of highly qualified personnel and will have a positive impact on Kazakh society in particular.