Dr. I.S.M. Khalil | People Pages: Find employees & contact details

Islam S. M. Khalil received his master’s and doctoral degrees in Mechatronics Engineering. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Robotics and Mechatronics (RaM) research group at the University of Twente and is also affiliated with Radboud University Medical Center and the Minimally Invasive Image-Guided Intervention Center (MAGIC), part of the Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen. He was previously a postdoctoral fellow in the RaM group for two years. After serving as the Director of the Medical Micro and Nanorobotics Laboratory at the German University in Cairo, Egypt, he held a position as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomechanical Engineering. His research interests include the modeling and design of motion control systems for soft microrobots, biologically inspired microrobots, mechatronic system design, and untethered magnetic micro/nanorobotics with applications in micro/nanomanipulation, microassembly, image-guided intervention, and targeted drug delivery.

Expertise

Physics
- Magnetic Field
- Permanent Magnet
- Electromagnetism
Engineering
- Microrobots
- Motion Control
- Actuator
- Robotics
- Robot

Organisations

Our research focuses on the development of wireless medical microrobots capable of navigating complex anatomical pathways to enable minimally invasive diagnosis and therapy. These tiny, untethered robotic systems are designed to swim through the vascular system and other fluidic environments to reach deep-seated or currently inaccessible regions of the human body. By combining magnetic actuation, AI-driven navigation, and real-time medical imaging, our goal is to offer a new class of medical interventions that are less invasive, more precise, and tailored to individual patients.

We work closely with vascular surgeons, oncologists, and gastroenterologists, ensuring a strong and dynamic match between engineering innovation and clinical needs. This close collaboration allows us to design robotic systems that directly address real-world medical challenges — from targeted cancer therapy and localized drug delivery to clot retrieval in complex vascular networks.We envision a future in which surgery is guided by swarms of intelligent microrobots that can be controlled wirelessly from outside the body. These microrobots will navigate autonomously through patient-specific vascular maps, reaching precise targets that are currently difficult or impossible to access with catheters or surgical tools.By integrating digital twin models, AI-based control algorithms, and advanced imaging technologies, we aim to give clinicians a new level of control and accuracy — enabling interventions that are faster, safer, and less traumatic for patients. In this vision, the operating room of the future is hybrid: combining the expertise of physicians and the precision of autonomous microrobotic systems.

Publications

Jump to: 2026 | 2025 | 2024

2026

Elucidating motion patterns in sperm cell motion with dynamic mode decomposition (2026)Journal of biological physics, 52(1). Article 15 (E-pub ahead of print/First online). Šimánek, P., Hořenín, J., Khalil, I. S. M., Magdanz, V., Klingner, A. & Kovalenko, A.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10867-026-09710-3Study on Worst-Case Gradient Forces on Untethered Magnetic Devices Using Two Synchronized Rotating Magnetic Dipoles (2026)IEEE Magnetics Letters, 17. Article 3100105. Zhang, Z., Lin, B., Klingner, A., Feng, G., Liao, Y., Guo, J., Xue, W., Li, F., Geng, W., Misra, S. & Khalil, I. S. M.https://doi.org/10.1109/LMAG.2026.3657287

2025

Dynamic Modeling of a Magnetic Video Capsule for Enhanced Navigation in the Gastrointestinal Tract (2025)[Contribution to conference › Paper] 47th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2025. Bester, E. V., Chen, W., Kobus van der Mijle Meijer, J., Ligtenberg, L.-J. W., Mulder , I., Liefers, H. R., Goulas, C., Wasserberg, D., Jonkheijm, P., Warlé, M., Mersha, A. Y., Braat, H. & Khalil, I. S. M.https://doi.org/10.1109/EMBC58623.2025.11253554Author Correction: Ex vivo validation of magnetically actuated intravascular untethered robots in a clinical setting: Ex vivo validation of magnetically actuated intravascular untethered robots in a clinical setting (Communications Engineering, (2024), 3, 1, (68), 10.1038/s44172-024-00215-2) (2025)Communications Engineering, 4. Article 16. Ligtenberg, L.-J. W., Rabou, N. C. A., Goulas, C., Duinmeijer, W. C., Halfwerk, F. R., Arens, J., Lomme, R., Magdanz, V., Klingner, A., Rot, E. A. M. K., Nijland, C. H. E., Wasserberg, D., Liefers, H. R., Jonkheijm, P., Susarrey-Arce, A., Warlé, M. & Khalil, I. S. M.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00353-1Design and control of a permanent magnet-based robotic system for navigating tetherless magnetic devices in viscous environments (2025)Scientific reports, 15(1). Article 31041. Zhang, Z., Klingner, A., Misra, S. & Khalil, I. S. M.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15247-7Swimming dynamics of screw-shaped untethered magnetic robots in confined spaces (2025)Nonlinear Dynamics, 113(21), 29197-29213. De Jongh, L., Klingner, A., Ligtenberg, L.-J. W., De Boer, M. C. J., van der Jooij, J., Lomme, R. M., Wasserberg, D., Liefers, H. R., Jonkheijm, P., Warlé, M. C. & Khalil, I. S. M.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11071-025-11646-7Non-Buoyant Microrobots Swimming with Near-Zero Angle of Attack (2025)In 2025 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2025) (pp. 16267-16272). IEEE. Ligtenberg, L.-J. W., De Jongh, L., van der Kooij, J., Paul, A., Li, C., Goulas, C., Mohanty, S. & Khalil, I. S. M.https://doi.org/10.1109/IROS60139.2025.11246126Sperm cell empowerment: X-ray-guided magnetic fields for enhanced actuation and localization of cytocompatible biohybrid microrobots (2025)npj Robotics, 3(1). Article 28 (E-pub ahead of print/First online). Magdanz, V., van der Mijle Meijer, J. K., Ligtenberg, L.-J. W., Pervez, Y., LaBrash-White, M., Shabani Dargah, M., Mulder, I., Mohsenkani, S., Gorbet, M., Bouzari, N., Shahsavan, H., Weber, L., Liefers, R. H., Warlé, M. C. & Khalil, I. S. M.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44182-025-00044-1Locomotion of paired spermatozoa during flagellar synchronisation (2025)Journal of fluid mechanics, 1007. Article A43. Zhang, K., Lewis, A., Klingner, A., Magdanz, V., Misra, S. & Khalil, I. S. M.https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2025.79Wireless mechanical and hybrid thrombus fragmentation of ex vivo endovascular thrombosis model in the iliac artery (2025)Applied physics reviews, 12(1). Article 011416. de Boer, M. C. J., Ligtenberg, L.-J. W., Mulder, I., Goulas, C., Klingner, A., Lomme, R., Rot, E. A. M. K., Wasserberg, D., Lu, Y., Liefers, R., van der Mijle Meijer, J. K., Tuijthof, G. J. M., Ben Ami, D., Sadeh, U., Shoseyov, O., Leclerc, J., Becker, A. T., Jonkheijm, P., Warlé, M. & Khalil, I. S. M.https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0233677

2024

X-Ray-Guided Magnetic Fields for Wireless Control of Untethered Magnetic Robots in Cerebral Vascular Phantoms (2024)In 2024 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, IROS 2024 (pp. 4624-4629) (IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems). IEEE. Ligtenberg, L. J. W., De Boer, M. C. J., Mulder, I., Lomme, R., Wasserberg, D., Klein Rot, E. A. M., Ben Ami, D., Sadeh, U., Liefers, H. R., Shoseyov, O., Jonkheijm, P., Warlé, M. & Khalil, I. S. M.https://doi.org/10.1109/IROS58592.2024.10802534Haptics in Micro- and Nano-Manipulation (2024)[Working paper › Preprint]. ArXiv.org. Tabak, A. F. & Khalil, I. S. M.https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2412.06917Ex vivo validation of magnetically actuated intravascular untethered robots in a clinical setting (2024)Communications Engineering, 3. Article 68. Ligtenberg, L.-J. W., Rabou, N. C. A., Goulas, C., Duinmeijer, W., Halfwerk, F. R., Arens, J., Lomme, R., Magdanz, V., Klingner, A., Klein Rot, E. A. M., Nijland, C. H. E., Wasserberg, D., Liefers, H. R., Jonkheijm, P., Susarrey-Arce, A., Warlé, M. & Khalil, I. S. M.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-024-00215-2Exploring sperm cell motion dynamics: Insights from genetic algorithm-based analysis (2024)Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, 23, 2837-2850. Klingner, A., Kovalenko, A., Magdanz, V. & Khalil, I. S. M.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csbj.2024.06.008Magnetic control of soft microrobots near step-out frequency: Characterization and analysis (2024)Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, 25, 165-176. Wang, Z., Li, W., Klingner, A., Pei, Y., Misra, S. & S.M. Khalil, I.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csbj.2024.08.022Controlled Locomotion of IRONSperm Clusters: Evaluating Maneuverability with X-Ray-Guided Magnetic Fields (2024)In 2024 10th IEEE/RAS-EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob) (pp. 883-888). IEEE. van der Mijle Meijer, J. K., Mulder , I., Ligtenberg, L.-J. W., Liefers, H. R., Magdanz, V. & S.M. Khalil, I.https://doi.org/10.1109/BioRob60516.2024.10719702Exploring PEMFCs for Powering Untethered Small-Scale Robots (2024)In 2024 10th IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference for Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob) (pp. 753-760) (Proceedings IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference for Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob); Vol. 2024). IEEE. Lakshmi Manikandan, A., Gurboga, B., Münzenrieder, N., Raman, A., Gardeniers, H. J. G. E., Susarrey-Arce, A., Abelmann, L. & S.M. Khalil, I.https://doi.org/10.1109/BioRob60516.2024.10719906X-Ray-Guided Robotic Platform for Remote Control of Untethered Magnetic Robots Targeting Blood Clots in the Iliac Artery (2024)In 2024 10th IEEE/RAS-EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob) (pp. 526-531) (Proceedings IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference for Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob); Vol. 2024). IEEE. Ligtenberg, L.-J. W., de Jongh, L., Liefers, H. R., Wasserberg, D., Klein Rot, E. A. M., Ben Ami, D., Sadeh, U., Lomme, R. M., Tuijthof, G. G. M., Shoseyov, O., Jonkheijm, P., Warlé, M. & S.M. Khalil, I.https://doi.org/10.1109/BioRob60516.2024.10719845Magnetic alginate microrobots with dual-motion patterns through centrifugally driven flow control (2024)Materials & Design, 246. Article 113337. Wang, Z., Li, W., Li, C., Klingner, A., Pei, Y., Misra, S. & Khalil, I. S. M.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2024.113337Advancements in navigation of untethered small-scale helical devices (2024)[Thesis › PhD Thesis - Research external, graduation external]. University of Groningen. Li, C.https://doi.org/10.33612/diss.918484711Soft Bio-Microrobots: Toward Biomedical Applications (2024)Advanced Intelligent Systems, 6(2). Article 2300093. Wang, Z., Klingner, A., Magdanz, V., Misra, S. & S.M. Khalil, I.https://doi.org/10.1002/aisy.202300093Magnetic polycaprolactone microspheres: drug encapsulation and control (2024)International Journal of Polymeric Materials and Polymeric Biomaterials, 73(2), 143-153. El Gohary, N. A., Mahmoud, A., Ashraf Nazmy, M., Zaabalawi, R., El Zahar, L., Khalil, I. S. M. & Mitwally, M. E.https://doi.org/10.1080/00914037.2022.2132248Control of Tetherless Magnetic Helical Devices Using A Synchronized Rotating Magnetic Actuation System. (2024)[Thesis › PhD Thesis - Research external, graduation external]. University of Groningen. Zhang, Z.https://doi.org/10.33612/diss.1079359598Machine Learning Based Tool for Automated Sperm Cell Tracking and Sperm Bundle Detection (2024)In Machine Learning and Knowledge Discovery in Databases. Applied Data Science Track: European Conference, ECML PKDD 2024, Vilnius, Lithuania, September 9–13, 2024, Proceedings, Part X (pp. 19-32) (Lecture Notes in Computer Science; Vol. 14950). Springer. Horenin, J., Magdanz, V., Khalil, I. S. M., Klingner, A., Kovalenko, A. & Čepek, M.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-70381-2_2Remote Control of Untethered Magnetic Robots within a Lumen using X-Ray-Guided Robotic Platform (2024)In 2024 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, ICRA 2024 (pp. 17763-17769) (Proceedings - IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation; Vol. 2024). IEEE. Ligtenberg, L. J. W., Rabou, N. C. A., Peters, S., Vengetela, T., Schut, V., Liefers, H. R., Warlé, M. & Khalil, I. S. M.https://doi.org/10.1109/ICRA57147.2024.10611161

Research profiles

Courses academic year 2026/2027

Courses in the current academic year are added at the moment they are finalised in the Osiris system. Therefore it is possible that the list is not yet complete for the whole academic year.

Courses academic year 2025/2026

Courses academic year 2024/2025

Current projects

EU Horizon IRE Intelligent Robotic Endoscopes for Improved Healthcare Services

IRE

In Intelligent Robotic Endoscopes (IRE) for Improved Healthcare Services, we envision creating intelligent robotic solutions to perform colonoscopies, ensuring faster and less painful screenings for patients suffering from bowel cancer.

WCR-OTP Wireless Robotic Clot Retrieval for Vascular Intervention

WCR

The Wireless Robotic Clot Retrieval for Vascular Intervention (WCR) project aims to develop a first-of-its-kind, wireless robotic system to improve clot retrieval procedures. This technology offers a minimally invasive, highly maneuverable alternative to traditional catheter-based methods for treating vascular occlusions, with the untethered robot navigated using X-ray-guided magnetic fields to precisely target and remove clots responsible for strokes, heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms, and below-the-knee emboli.The project seeks to optimize and validate wireless robotics to advance patient outcomes and endovascular interventions.

MAGIC-AIM Magnetic Advanced Gastrointestinal Inspection and Control using Artificial Intelligence and Magnetic Navigation

MAGIC-AIM

MAGIC-AIM project aims for early and accurate noninvasive diagnosis of gastrointestinal disorders, with the goal of improving patient outcomes and reducing the need for invasive procedures. This will be achieved through an innovative platform that combines a magnetically guided capsule endoscope with artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality (XR). Automated image analysis and precise navigation will enhance diagnostic accuracy and reduce the workload for clinicians. The project is a collaboration between HapMag B.V., the University of Twente, and the Medisch Spectrum Twente hospital, bringing together expertise in medical technology, academic research, and clinical care.The MAGIC-AIM system introduces a magnetically navigated capsule that can be precisely controlled in the GI tract. AI algorithms will automatically detect abnormalities in the imaging data, while XR technology will provide clinicians with an immersive, real-time 3D visualisation of the procedure. This integrated approach is designed to improve diagnostic precision, reduce errors, and support faster, more confident decision-making.

Steerable Video Capsule Endoscopy for Precision Diagnosis of Colorectal and Bowel Diseases

SCOPE

A remotely steerable video capsule is being developed to improve the diagnosis of bowel diseases such as colorectal cancer and inflammatory conditions. Unlike conventional capsules that move passively through the gastrointestinal tract, this capsule can be actively navigated using external magnetic fields. This enables targeted inspection and enhanced imaging, aiming to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce unnecessary follow-up procedures. This project explores the societal impact, clinical implementation potential, and stakeholder involvement needed to bring this innovation closer to patients in real-world healthcare settings.

U-Fonds - A certified medical-grade wireless capsule navigation system

CERTICAP

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) signed an agreement for approximately €560,000 in funding from the Twente University Fund to develop a groundbreaking wireless capsule navigation system. The system is being developed together with Medisch Spectrum Twente (MST) and Radboudumc. The project is designed with real clinical needs in mind. The goal of the project is to make medical procedures safer, faster, and more precise.

Our work in medical microrobotics has attracted significant media attention through various dissemination activities. In 2025, we were awarded the University of Twente Media Award.