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Secure wireless communication of brain–computer interface and mind control of smart devices enabled by space-time-coding metasurface

Author

Listed:
  • Qiang Xiao

    (Southeast University
    Jiangsu Joint Laboratory of Multidimensional Perceptual Information Technology)

  • Lin Han Fan

    (Southeast University)

  • Qian Ma

    (Southeast University
    Jiangsu Joint Laboratory of Multidimensional Perceptual Information Technology)

  • Yu Ming Ning

    (Southeast University)

  • Ze Gu

    (Southeast University)

  • Long Chen

    (Southeast University)

  • Lianlin Li

    (Peking University)

  • Jian Wei You

    (Southeast University)

  • Ya Feng Niu

    (Southeast University)

  • Tie Jun Cui

    (Southeast University)

Abstract

Brain–computer interface (BCI) provides an interconnected pathway between the human brain and external devices and paves a potential route for mind manipulations. However, most existing BCI technologies are based on simple signal transmission and are independent of other interface devices, with limited consideration for the reliability and security of the human brain’s information interaction in complicated wireless environments. Here, we propose a deep fusion coding scheme that combines the BCI visual stimulation coding with metasurface space-time coding at the physical layer, enabling reliable and secure information transfers between the human brain and external devices. A brain space-time-coding metasurface platform is designed to implement a secure wireless communication system by using harmonic-encrypted beams. We design and fabricate a proof-of-principle prototype and experimentally show that the proposed wireless BCI scheme can establish a remote but safeguarded paradigm for human–machine interactions and intelligent metasurfaces, providing a potential direction in future secure wireless communications.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiang Xiao & Lin Han Fan & Qian Ma & Yu Ming Ning & Ze Gu & Long Chen & Lianlin Li & Jian Wei You & Ya Feng Niu & Tie Jun Cui, 2025. "Secure wireless communication of brain–computer interface and mind control of smart devices enabled by space-time-coding metasurface," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63326-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63326-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Francis R. Willett & Donald T. Avansino & Leigh R. Hochberg & Jaimie M. Henderson & Krishna V. Shenoy, 2021. "High-performance brain-to-text communication via handwriting," Nature, Nature, vol. 593(7858), pages 249-254, May.
    2. Sarah K. Wandelt & David A. Bjånes & Kelsie Pejsa & Brian Lee & Charles Liu & Richard A. Andersen, 2024. "Representation of internal speech by single neurons in human supramarginal gyrus," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 8(6), pages 1136-1149, June.
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    4. Geng-Bo Wu & Jun Yan Dai & Kam Man Shum & Ka Fai Chan & Qiang Cheng & Tie Jun Cui & Chi Hou Chan, 2023. "A universal metasurface antenna to manipulate all fundamental characteristics of electromagnetic waves," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
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