David J. Cappelleri
Purdue University West Lafayette, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania
Papers
39
Total Citations
1,156
H-Index
16
About
David J. Cappelleri is a pioneering roboticist whose research sits at the intersection of microrobotics, magnetic actuation, and autonomous control systems. Best known for his influential 2020 review on magnetic actuation in bio/soft robotics—which has garnered over 330 citations—Cappelleri has helped define the landscape of how miniaturized robots are powered and steered through complex environments. His work on microscale magnetic tumbling robots (μTUM) demonstrated novel locomotion strategies across both dry and wet terrains, while his contributions to independent control of multiple microrobots tackled one of the field's most formidable challenges: directing many agents simultaneously under shared magnetic fields. His research extends into biomedical applications, including drug delivery via soft capsule millirobots and magnetically aligned nanorods in alginate capsules, reflecting a sustained commitment to clinically relevant innovation. Cappelleri also advances fabrication techniques, leveraging two-photon polymerization for 3D-printed microrobots with structural color for identification and tracking. Beyond research, he has shaped robotics education through his Robotic Decathlon curriculum. With a body of work spanning fundamental robotics principles to cutting-edge medical microrobotics, Cappelleri stands as a significant and versatile contributor to modern robotics science.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Magnetic Actuation Methods in Bio/Soft Robotics333 citations · 2020
- 2Controlling multiple microrobots: recent progress and future challenges106 citations · 2015
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- 5Towards Independent Control of Multiple Magnetic Mobile Microrobots65 citations · 2015
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