Maglev Microrobotics Laboratory studies the design and development of magnetically levitated (Maglev) robots. To accomplish this, a magnetic levitation setup enabling high precision 3D remote positioning was built.
Our Maglev systems find applications in areas spanning various disciplines such as:
- Contactless micromanipulation and microrobotics
- Manipulation in hazardous environment
- Clean rooms applications
- Wind tunnel testing
- Wafer growth and wafer transportation
We are working on the development and industrialization of various applications of magnetism such as electromagnetic energy harvesters and non-destructive testing for detecting cracks and defects in live pipelines.
Dr. Khamesee is a Co-PI in the development of Robohub in PSE building. Research on Magnetic Levitation Floor is currently being conducted in Robohub!
Current Projects
ANNOUNCEMENT
PhD and MASc positions are open.
An immediate PhD position is available. The applicant must already be in Canada to expedite the paperwork process.
Lab Location: E5-3044
Engineering 5 building, 3rd Floor
Senior Member Awarded
Professor Mir Behrad Khamesee becomes an IEEE Senior Member in 2025.
What makes it different is that it’s a single unit unlike other multi units that have been developed.
Our stories
Charge your phone while you shovel - and shiver [Waterloo Stories]
News
2026 SOMMeRS Symposium
On Aug 21, 2026, Dr. Veronika Magdanz and Dr. Ethan Batiste hosted the SOMMeRS symposium on medical device topics, drawing on microbiotic concepts. The symposium welcomed Dr. Eric Diller, Dr. Cameron Forbrigger, Dr. Onaizah Onaizah, Dr. Mahla Poudineh, Dr. Wang Xian, Dr. Jiachen Zhang, Dr. Henry Shum, Dr. Zeinab Hosseinidoust, and Dr. Yang Wang (on behalf of Dr. Behrad Khamesee). The speakers are mainly from the University of Toronto, McMaster University, City University of Hong Kong, Queen's University, and the University of Waterloo.
2026 RoboHub Spring Symposium
In the RoboHub Spring Symposium, the Maglev Microrobotic Lab reported research into using Maglev Planar Motors to assist operators in manufacturing environments as future transport systems.
Sebastian Viancha, MASc, reported the current research progress, including maglev system development, robotic development, and intelligent-related control.
Biomedical Engineering and Technology Research Day 2024
Afarin Khabbazian, a MASc student from our laboratory, presented her research with the poster title: "Magnetically actuated soft robots for applications in the urinary tract" in the Poster Showcase session at Biomedical Engineering and Technology Research Day on July 24, 2024.