Our research focuses on applications of wireless communication and integrated circuit technologies to biomedicine. In recent years, we have become fascinated by the idea of tiny surgical robots that can be introduced into a blood vessel, travel through the patient’s body, exchange information with an external controller for detailed diagnosis, and perform local interventions. They might even be permanently resident in the body for continuous monitoring. Such robots exist only in the realm of science fiction today. Their realization faces major obstacles, including power sources, and the control and monitoring of these untethered robots.

The main thrust of our research program aims to address these obstacles through fundamental understanding of wireless power transfer and communication schemes, and the development of novel devices and systems. In addition, we are working on introducing new sensing and actuating functionalities to these robots, as well as a new imaging system to locate and monitor them. Our research program also involves close collaborations with biologists, clinical specialists, and radiologists to identify short and long-term applications of these wireless robots for advancing basic biomedical research as well as developing new surgical instruments and diagnostic tools.