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About

Jeroen De Backer is a leading researcher in robotic friction stir welding (FSW), a solid-state joining process with transformative applications in automotive, aerospace, and battery electric vehicle manufacturing. His work has fundamentally advanced the practical implementation of FSW using industrial robots, addressing key challenges that have historically limited its adoption in complex, real-world manufacturing environments. De Backer's most significant contributions include pioneering temperature control strategies for robotic FSW, most notably through the thermoelectric effect — work that has attracted 63 citations and remains a cornerstone reference in the field. He has also made critical advances in path compensation and deflection modeling, directly tackling the positional inaccuracies that arise when robots endure the extreme contact forces inherent to FSW. His feedback control frameworks and seam-tracking systems have further bridged the gap between laboratory research and industrial deployment. With a body of work spanning over a decade, De Backer has accumulated more than 240 citations across his key publications. His more recent research on dissimilar aluminium alloy welding for battery frame assembly signals his continued relevance to emerging green technology sectors. For students and engineers exploring advanced manufacturing automation, his portfolio represents an essential and highly practical contribution to the field.