Title: Microrobotics: Robotic Systems at the Microscale

Join Zoom: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/91754078808

Abstract: The Multi-Scale Robotics & Automation Lab (MSRAL) at Purdue University performs cutting-edge research on robotic and automation systems at various length scales: macro-scale (cm to m), meso-scale (~100's of um to a few mm's), micro-scale (10's of um to 100's of um), and nano-scale (nm).   All of the developed systems are designed to interact with the environment in unique ways.  In this talk, I will discuss some recent MSRAL microrobotics projects on developing learned models for 2D micromanipulation tasks and different types of families of wireless mobile microrobots driven by external magnetic fields that we have developed over the years.  These include the micro-scale tumbling microrobot (µTUM), the micro-force sensing mobile microrobot (µFSMM), and our work on controlling teams of mobile microrobots.

Bio:  David J. Cappelleri is an Associate Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering and in the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering (by courtesy) at Purdue University.  Prof. Cappelleri founded the Multi-Scale Robotics & Automation Lab (MSRAL) that performs cutting-edge research on robotic and automation systems at various length scales.  His research interests include mobile microrobotics for biomedical and manufacturing applications, surgical robotics, automated manipulation and assembly, and unmanned aerial and ground robot design for agricultural applications.  Prof. Cappelleri is currently co-leading a Purdue Engineering Initiative in Autonomous and Connected Systems and is the Purdue site director for the new NSF Engineering Research Center on the Internet of Things for Precision Agriculture (IoT4Ag).  Prof. Cappelleri has received various awards, such as the NSF CAREER Award, Harvey N. Davis Distinguished Assistant Professor Teaching Award, and the Association for Lab Automation Young Scientist Award.  He is also the co-founder of C2 Medical Robotics, Inc., a startup company spun out of intellectual property developed in the MSRAL, that is developing the world’s first robotic lumbar discectomy surgical system.