Marina Pilz da Cunha
Advanced Materials and Devices (United States), Eindhoven University of Technology
Papers
5
Total Citations
692
H-Index
4
About
Marina Pilz da Cunha is a pioneer in the field of bioinspired soft robotics, specializing in light- and magnetic-responsive liquid crystal polymers (LCPs). Her research focuses on creating untethered, wirelessly controlled soft devices that mimic the locomotion and multitasking abilities of living organisms. Her major contributions include the development of a bioinspired light-driven soft robot (324 citations) and a soft transporter robot fueled by light (185 citations), both of which demonstrate how programmed three-dimensional shape changes can enable life-like motion. She also engineered an untethered magnetic- and light-responsive rotary gripper (128 citations), capable of loading, transporting, rotating, and releasing cargo, and an artificial aquatic polyp that wirelessly attracts, grasps, and releases objects in aqueous environments (53 citations). These innovations push the boundaries of soft robotics by integrating multiple stimuli for complex, autonomous tasks. Pilz da Cunha’s work has been featured on the front cover of *Advanced Optical Materials*, highlighting her dual-responsive actuator design. Her research is highly impactful, with over 690 total citations, and inspires new possibilities for soft robots in medicine, environmental monitoring, and beyond.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Bioinspired light-driven soft robots based on liquid crystal polymers324 citations · 2020
- 2A Soft Transporter Robot Fueled by Light185 citations · 2020
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