Anna Maria Moran

Mount Holyoke College, Boston University

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dr. Anna Maria Moran is a pioneering researcher in soft robotics, specializing in the development of novel actuation and control systems that enhance the autonomy and functionality of compliant machines. Her major contributions lie at the intersection of magnetorheological (MR) fluids and electropermanent magnets, where she has introduced groundbreaking methods for achieving proportional, onboard control of soft actuators. Her most cited work, "Modulation of Magnetorheological Fluid Flow in Soft Robots Using Electropermanent Magnets" (2022, 48 citations), demonstrates how MR fluids can be dynamically stiffened to enable precise, variable control of actuator inflation—a significant leap beyond the binary control schemes that previously limited the field. Building on this, her 2024 paper on an electropermanent magnet valve (16 citations) addresses a critical bottleneck in soft robotics: the reliance on rigid, external pneumatic valves. By integrating these valves directly into the robot, she has paved the way for untethered, multi-degree-of-freedom systems with enhanced mobility and compliance. Her 2025 work on soft, fiber-reinforced bellow actuators (5 citations) further expands the toolkit for space-constrained applications, improving force output and adaptability. Dr. Moran’s research is widely recognized for its potential to revolutionize soft robotics in medical devices, search-and-rescue, and human-robot interaction.