Dr. Moran is the author of more than 100 publications, and is co-author of the book Nonlinear Finite Elements for Continua and Structures, Wiley, NY, 2000. His research interests are in computational methods in engineering and science, continuum mechanics, fracture mechanics, multi-scale modeling of materials, development of the natural element method, mechanics of biofilms, mechanics of soft tissue, and composite mechanics. Current research projects include: developing multi-resolution continuum models for simulation of fracture processes across several length scales in ductile metal; developing new large deformation constitutive models for collagen-reinforced soft tissue and extending constitutive models to multi-scale formulations; developing asymptotic crack tip fields for crack/tears in soft tissue; developing combined level set and extended finite element methods for the evolution of biofilms without the need for the biofilm surface to coincide with element boundaries and without the need for element remeshing; extending the method to the case of fluid flow around biofilm; and extending the methodology to precipitate evolution in metal alloys.

Mechanical Engineering