MIT Develops Wireless Antennas to Decode Cellular Signals Using Light

The innovative technology could revolutionize biosensing by enabling high-resolution, wire-free monitoring of cellular communication.

MIT researchers have created organic electro-scattering antennas (OCEANs) that use light to wirelessly detect electrical signals in biological systems.
The antennas, made from a polymer called PEDOT:PSS, change how they scatter light in response to electrical activity in their environment.
OCEANs are capable of monitoring cellular communication with micrometer spatial resolution and can record signals for over 10 hours continuously.
The technology eliminates the need for wires and amplifiers, allowing for high-throughput, high-resolution biosensing with arrays of thousands to millions of antennas.
Researchers aim to further refine the antennas for in vitro studies, integrate them into nanophotonic devices, and explore their potential for diagnosing diseases and evaluating treatments.