**7.3 Healthcare applications**

In last decade, various new materials and technologies including NFC based technology has gained ground in healthcare by adding convenience and providing efficient healthcare facilities [82–86]. According to a report issued by Transparency Market Research (TMR), healthcare is the fastest growing part of NFC, representing a CAGR of 20.4% [87, 88] . NFC provides user friendly benefits in healthcare e.g., secure physical access to buildings, medications and equipments, medical information, real time updates on patient care, medical alerts, home

#### **Figure 11.**

*The evolution of consumer digital payments including in public transport fare collection system using smartphone based NFC interface [74].*

*Near-Field Communications (NFC) for Wireless Power Transfer (WPT): An Overview DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96345*

monitoring of patients, safer medications [89–92], storage of encrypted medical tags [93], adverse drugs and allergy detection system in hospitals [94] and electronic data recording services [95]. For example, recently Xiaomi launched Mi Band 5 wrist band, which supports NFC based payments and transactions through the band. Currently, in the time of COVID-19 pandemic, Silicon Craft Technology PLC (SICT) has launched an NFC enabled wearable band to track COVID-19 patients and those are under self-quarantine [96]. A major part of NFC in healthcare consists of health monitoring devices, such as NFC enabled blood pressure and activity monitors, wearable sensors [97, 98] and personal weight scale, etc., each of these devices send data to health centres connected via apps (TAPCheck blood pressure monitors, GENTAG, iMPAK Health for credit card-size RhythmTrak ECG device) [54]. There are more complex implementations of NFC technology in implantable health devices, such as heart monitors [99], cochlea implants [100–102], and optogenetics implants [103]. NFC enabled devices are also implanted in fitness and nutrition programs to promote overall health and wellness of users, such as, Apple watch, FitBit, Sony's Smart Band and Samsung Galaxy watch, and so on. There are affirmative studies that focus on improvement of health applications using NFC, such as self-diagnosis and medication, specific applications for the disabled, elderly and people with chronic diseases, etc. [49]. **Figure 12** shows few different applications of NFC in bio medical area [9, 98, 104, 105].

#### **Figure 12.**

*Various healthcare applications of NFC; (a) cochlea implant with a circle showing the NFC communication part of the implant [9]; (b) Optogenetic implant for brain [104]; (c) wearable bracelet prototype [98]; (d) NFC enabled smart watch [105].*


The data transfer in NFC technology relies on the magnetic flux strength, which is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the NFC device and the tag antenna. Hence, magnetic flux strength decreases quickly as the distance between the NFC device and the tag antenna increases, thus restricting the range and effectiveness of NFC technology up to a few centimeters only. This disadvantage turns out be a great

*Near-Field Communications (NFC) for Wireless Power Transfer (WPT): An Overview*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96345*

advantage and a flagship selling point for NFC technology as far as security is concerned. Along with the numerous benefits of NFC technology, researchers and technologists also are aware of the security and privacy concerns that comes along with technology. As this technology is managing our payment system and private information, the technology needs to be secure and safe from any kind of security threat [94, 109, 110]. Although NFC technology is based on contactless smartcards and payment technology and communicate in short range distance, yet there are chances of eavesdropping on communications [111]. Several types of attacks have been discussed in studies such as eavesdropping, data corruption or modification, relay attacks [112], man-in-the-middle attacks and DOS (Denial-of-Service). With an increase of NFC products in the market, the individual makers of product do not implement NFC technology perfectly. According to head of HP's Zero Day, in an annual hacking competition (Pwn2Own) in 2015, researchers used flaws of technology to compromise the NFC devices [113]. Several researchers tried to increase the range of NFC communica-

tion via different design topologies. For example, Range extension attacks on

• Patch your device rapidly.

**113**

• Active your device only when it is in use.

could led to new type of NFC tags, devices, and applications.

Presently, most NFC applications involve the use of mobile phones and exchange of sensitive personal financial and other data during the transitions. Most users have vast amount of other important data as well. This raises the concerns about privacy and security like spamming, unwanted contents on phones and so on. User privacy should be given top priority as NFC technology expands into new avenues. Cautions should be used while implementing NFC services. Data

**9. Conclusion and future directions**

contactless smartcards [114], increase in range by placing metal plate under antenna, position and alignment of antenna to extend the range with a range extension to 13.4 cm by changing the antenna [115]. Many studies indicate that the usage of secure channels and examining the RF field can address most of these threats [116], while the high speed of data transfer and close distance handles the rest [117]. The close operating distance for NFC prevents an intruding signal from interrupting the signal or inserting threating data during the transfer [118, 119]. Some of the steps can help you safely use NFC technology for your mobile phone payments and other applications [113], including:

• Customers should read the fine print before using any NFC-enabled applications.

In this chapter, we have covered an overview of NFC technology, including its current uses. NFC is an emerging technology and finding applications in every aspects of the daily life. In last decade, there has been explosion on both fronts, market applications and research. During the future years, it will expand further. NFC has potential to make personalized medicine and next generation point diagnosis at cellular and molecular levels realities. There is ongoing research to make NFC technology more affordable, easy to use, as well as more compact in size. There is a strong desire to improve the efficiency and wireless power transfer rates of these NFC devices. New materials research combined with evolving 3-D printing

**Table 6.**

*Benefits of NFC applications for each operating mode [14].*

## **7.4 Access control and authentication**

Access control services and authentication services using NFC technology has garnered much attention because of their initial promising results. The use of NFC enabled contactless smart cards for access, identification badges is similar to how users use the NFC enabled mobile phones to gain access in buildings. These types of applications indicates that NFC will play an important role in the next generation access control and identity management systems [54]. For example, two factor access control system for access in building using biometric fingerprint recognition for authentication and NFC for transferring the data to the computer controlled door [49]. Recently, the new 2021 BMW 5 Series launched NFC enabled digital car keys feature in their car which is compatible with Apple iPhone (Compatible with iPhone SE 2nd generation and iPhones with operating system above iOS 13) [96].

#### **7.5 Gaming, social media and entertainment applications**

The use of NFC enabled mobile games and social media has been brought to the market recently. In some of the NFC projects, gamers can tap each other phones together to receive access for new levels in the game and can score extra points. Similarly, social media users can establish social media connections and networking using peer-to-peer mode, where they can update their status and checked into the location also. Some of the examples are, Pass the bomb and Exquisite Touch games [106], smart phones are NFC enabled musical instruments [107], and Whack-a-Mole game [108].

#### **7.6 Inventory and packaging**

RFID and NFC enabled devices has been used in warehouses and stores for inventory control, labelling and packaging purpose. For example, NFC-enabled temperature sensors in tracking the food and drinks conditions, NFC tags for luxury products, NFC tags for authentication of instruments and linked to database to keep record of their repair date, NFC labels for food tracking (expiration date, gluten free, low calorie etc) [54].

Some of the other applications of NFC are location-based tracking, educational, work force and retail management applications. **Table 6** summarizes the benefits of each mode of NFC communications.

## **8. Privacy and security**

Along with benefits, any new technology comes with new challenges and concerns. Similarly, NFC also has its own concerns, specifically the privacy and security concerns. *Near-Field Communications (NFC) for Wireless Power Transfer (WPT): An Overview DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96345*

The data transfer in NFC technology relies on the magnetic flux strength, which is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the NFC device and the tag antenna. Hence, magnetic flux strength decreases quickly as the distance between the NFC device and the tag antenna increases, thus restricting the range and effectiveness of NFC technology up to a few centimeters only. This disadvantage turns out be a great advantage and a flagship selling point for NFC technology as far as security is concerned. Along with the numerous benefits of NFC technology, researchers and technologists also are aware of the security and privacy concerns that comes along with technology. As this technology is managing our payment system and private information, the technology needs to be secure and safe from any kind of security threat [94, 109, 110]. Although NFC technology is based on contactless smartcards and payment technology and communicate in short range distance, yet there are chances of eavesdropping on communications [111]. Several types of attacks have been discussed in studies such as eavesdropping, data corruption or modification, relay attacks [112], man-in-the-middle attacks and DOS (Denial-of-Service). With an increase of NFC products in the market, the individual makers of product do not implement NFC technology perfectly. According to head of HP's Zero Day, in an annual hacking competition (Pwn2Own) in 2015, researchers used flaws of technology to compromise the NFC devices [113]. Several researchers tried to increase the range of NFC communication via different design topologies. For example, Range extension attacks on contactless smartcards [114], increase in range by placing metal plate under antenna, position and alignment of antenna to extend the range with a range extension to 13.4 cm by changing the antenna [115]. Many studies indicate that the usage of secure channels and examining the RF field can address most of these threats [116], while the high speed of data transfer and close distance handles the rest [117]. The close operating distance for NFC prevents an intruding signal from interrupting the signal or inserting threating data during the transfer [118, 119]. Some of the steps can help you safely use NFC technology for your mobile phone payments and other applications [113], including:


## **9. Conclusion and future directions**

In this chapter, we have covered an overview of NFC technology, including its current uses. NFC is an emerging technology and finding applications in every aspects of the daily life. In last decade, there has been explosion on both fronts, market applications and research. During the future years, it will expand further. NFC has potential to make personalized medicine and next generation point diagnosis at cellular and molecular levels realities. There is ongoing research to make NFC technology more affordable, easy to use, as well as more compact in size. There is a strong desire to improve the efficiency and wireless power transfer rates of these NFC devices. New materials research combined with evolving 3-D printing could led to new type of NFC tags, devices, and applications.

Presently, most NFC applications involve the use of mobile phones and exchange of sensitive personal financial and other data during the transitions. Most users have vast amount of other important data as well. This raises the concerns about privacy and security like spamming, unwanted contents on phones and so on. User privacy should be given top priority as NFC technology expands into new avenues. Cautions should be used while implementing NFC services. Data

encryption, establishing secure channels between NFC devices and users' proper educations (locking code for the phone, regular update of antivirus software, erasing the phone in case its stolen) will be some key features in addressing the users' concerns about privacy and security. Overall, NFC is an exciting new technology that will present a wide variety of new applications along with renewed challenges in the years to come.

**References**

[1] Coskun, V., B. Ozdenizci, and K.J.W.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96345*

[12] ZARE, M.Y., *RFID: a bibliographical literature review with future research*

[13] Arcese, G., et al., *Near field communication: Technology and market*

*trends.* 2014. **2**(3): p. 143–163.

[14] Coskun, V., K. Ok, and B. Ozdenizci, *Near field communication (NFC): From theory to practice*. 2011:

[16] Sabella, R.R. *Near Field*

[17] Moon, W.Y. and S.D. Kim. *A payment mediation platform for heterogeneous FinTech schemes*. in *2016*

[18] Curran, K., et al., *Near Field Communication.* 2012. **2**(3).

*Management, Communicates, Electronic and Automation Control Conference*

[19] Huang, H.-P., C.-S. Chen, and T.-Y. Chen. *Mobile diagnosis based on RFID for food safety*. in *2006 IEEE International Conference on Automation Science and*

[20] Reinhold, C., et al., *Efficient antenna design of inductive coupled RFID-systems with high power demand.* 2007. **2**(6):

[21] Finkenzeller, K., *RFID handbook: fundamentals and applications in contactless smart cards, radio frequency*

*communication*. 2010: John wiley & sons.

*identification and near-field*

*IEEE Advanced Information*

*(IMCEC)*. 2016. IEEE.

*Engineering*. 2006. IEEE.

p. 14–23.

[15] Suparta, W.J.J.o.C.S., *Application of near field communication technology for mobile airline ticketing.* 2012. **8**(8):

*Communication*. Available from: https:// www.dummies.com/consumer-elec tronics/needed-near-field-communica

John Wiley & Sons.

p. 1235.

tion/.

*directions.* 2014.

*Near-Field Communications (NFC) for Wireless Power Transfer (WPT): An Overview*

*communication (NFC) technology.* 2013.

[2] Blog, T. *The Evolution of Near Field Communication*. Available from: https:// www.techpats.com/evolution-near-fie

[3] Bae, K.-J., et al.,*The ubiquitous library for the blind and physically handicapped —A case study of the LG Sangnam Library, Korea.* 2007. **33**(3): p. 210–219.

[4] Exchange, T. *innovative examples of NFC technology*. January 22, 2013; Available from: https://exchange.telstra. com.au/6-innovative-examples-of-nfc-

[5] Hamblen, M. *A short history of NFC*. 2012; Available from: https://www.c omputerworld.com/article/2493888/a-

[6] Bite, B. *NFC Usage and Statistics for 2020*. November 13, 2020; Available from: https://www.bluebite.com/ nfc/the-state-of-nfc-in-2020

[7] Report, M.A.,*The exponential growth of mobile internet application and advancement of 3G and 4G networks is anticipated to drive the market.* October,

[8] Want, R.J.I.p.c., *An introduction to RFID technology.* 2006. **5**(1): p. 25–33.

[9] Kim, H.-J., et al., *Review of near-field wireless power and communication for biomedical applications.* 2017. **5**:

[10] Landt, J.J.I.p.,*The history of RFID.*

[11] Atzori, L., A. Iera, and G. Morabito, *The Internet of Things: A survey Comput.*

short-history-of-nfc.html.

p.c. Ok, *A survey on near field*

**71**(3): p. 2259–2294.

ld-communication-nfc/

technology/.

2016.

p. 21264–21285.

*Netw.* 2010.

**115**

2005. **24**(4): p. 8–11.
