Robert Puers

About

Robert Puers is a pioneering researcher in biomedical microsystems, wireless power transmission, and MEMS sensor technology, whose work has fundamentally shaped the development of minimally invasive medical devices. Based at KU Leuven, Puers has made landmark contributions to capsule endoscopy, dedicating over a decade to solving one of its most critical limitations: insufficient onboard power. His multi-coil inductive powering systems and wireless power and data transmission strategies have transformed capsular endoscopes from passive diagnostic tools into capable robotic platforms, with his most cited work alone attracting over 105 citations. By developing sophisticated inductive coil architectures — including innovative 3D ferrite coil receivers — Puers helped pave the way for next-generation gastrointestinal examination devices that can actively navigate and interact within the body. Beyond endoscopy, Puers has demonstrated remarkable breadth, contributing foundational work in MEMS accelerometry. His early 1988 paper on the piezojunction-effect accelerometer and his later highly symmetrical capacitive micro-accelerometer highlight decades of expertise in precision microfabricated sensors. His research portfolio, spanning pneumatic microactuators to wireless robotic systems, reflects a career consistently bridging fundamental microsystems engineering with transformative clinical applications, making him an essential reference for researchers in biomedical engineering and medical robotics.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   A multi-coil inductive powering system for an endoscopic capsule with vibratory actuation

   105 citations · 2011
2. 2
   A wireless power supply system for robotic capsular endoscopes

   93 citations · 2010
3. 3
   Wireless power and data transmission strategies for next-generation capsule endoscopes

   64 citations · 2011
4. 4
   A new uniaxial accelerometer in silicon based on the piezojunction effect

   47 citations · 1988
5. 5
   Wireless power and data transmission for robotic capsule endoscopes

   34 citations · 2011
6. 6
   Characterization and control of a pneumatic microactuator with an integrated inductive position sensor

   31 citations · 2007
7. 7
   A 3D Ferrite Coil Receiver for Wireless Power Supply of Endoscopic Capsules

   20 citations · 2009
8. 8
   A highly symmetrical capacitive micro-accelerometer with single degree-of-freedom response

   16 citations · 2002
9. 9
   A wireless powering system for a vibratory-actuated endoscopic capsule

   9 citations · 2010
10. 10
    Wireless Power and Data Transmission for Robotic Endoscopic Capsules

    3 citations · 2010

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links