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Christopher L. MuhlsteinMuhlstein photo

 

Associate Professor

Corning Faculty Fellow of Materials Science and Engineering

 

202B Steidle Bldg.

Penn State University

University Park, PA 16802

Phone: (814) 865-1523

FAX: (814) 865-2917

E-mail: Christopher L. Muhlstein

Education:

 

  • Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley , 2002 (Materials Science and Engineering)
  • M.S., The Georgia Institute of Technology, 1996 (Metallurgy)
  • B.S., University of California, Berkeley, 1994 (Materials Science and Engineering)

 

Research Interests:

 

  • Structure-mechanical property relationships in materials
  • Fracture mechanics
  • Coupled electromechanical measurements for damage mapping

 

Dr. Muhlstein’s research focuses on the fracture and fatigue behavior of thin films and nanomaterials. His studies explore the degradation mechanisms in metallic, ceramic, polymeric, and composite materials systems using a wide range of experimental methods including microscale mechanical testing and noncontact strain measurements using image correlation.

 

Technologies Impacted by Research:

 

  • Capacitors
  • Piezoelectric actuators
  • Electrical interconnects

 

Professional Experience:

 

July 2008-present Associate Professor, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
September 2002 - July 2008 Assistant Professor, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
June 1996 - December 1998 Engineer, Exponent Failure Analysis Associates, Natick, Massachusetts

 

Awards:

 

2007-2010 Corning Faculty Fellow in Materials Science and Engineering
2005 NSF CAREER Award
2003 ASTM Award of Appreciation
2003 Keramos Honor Society
2001-2002 University of California, Berkeley President's Fellowship
2001 ASTM Award of Appreciation
1995 Alpha Sigma Mu National Honor Society

 

Selected Publications:

 

  1. 1. Kommepalli, H.K., Yu, H.G., Muhlstein, C.L., Trolier-McKinstry, S., Rahn, C.D., and Tadigadapa, S.A., "Design, Fabrication, and Performance of a Piezoelectric Uniflex Microactuator." Journal of Microelectromechanical System, 2009: in press.
  2. Antolino, N.E., Hayes, G., Kirkpatrick, R., Muhlstein, C.L., Frecker, M.I., Mockensturm, E.M., and Adair, J.H., "Lost mold rapid infiltration forming of mesoscale ceramics: Part 1, fabrication." Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 2009. 92(SUPPL 1): p. 63-69.
  3. Meirom, R.A., Clark, T., Polcawich, R., Pulskamp, J., Dubey, M., and Muhlstein, C.L., “Velocity Dependent Fatigue Crack Growth in Nanograined Pt Films.” Physical Review Letters, 2008. 101: 85503(4).
  4. Fang, L., Muhlstein, C.L., Collins, J.G., Romasco, A.L., and Friedman, L.H., " Continuous Electrical In Situ Contact Area Measurement during Instrumented Indentation." Journal of Materials Research 2008. 23(9): 2480-2485.