Christophe Pinna

Dr. Christophe Pinna serves as a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield's School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering. He graduated with a PhD from Ecole Polytechnique in France in 1997 and has been affiliated with the University of Sheffield since then. His academic roles include co-Directorship of the Sheffield Tomography Centre and membership on the Aerospace Division Board of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Pinna's research centers on mechanics of materials with specific expertise in fatigue, fracture, and manufacturing process modeling. His work bridges experimental mechanics (utilizing techniques like digital volume correlation, SEM-based DIC, and micro-CT) and computational mechanics (including finite element modeling, crystal plasticity, and phase-field simulations). Key application areas include automotive advanced high strength steels, thermo-mechanical processing of metals, and aerospace composite materials.

His publications demonstrate consistent focus on multi-scale material characterization, with recent work emphasizing in-situ testing of composites and metal processing. The research output shows strong interdisciplinary collaboration across materials science, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing disciplines.

Professional service highlights include:

• Section Editor and Editorial Board Member for European Journal of Materials
• Editorial Board Member for Materials journal
• Member of international scientific committees for EUROMAT2023 and FATIGUE2024
• Full College Member of EPSRC

As an advisor, Pinna has supervised numerous PhD students working on topics ranging from composite fatigue to advanced steel processing. His research is supported by significant grants from EPSRC, EU programs including Horizon 2020, and industry partnerships with companies like Tata Steel and BAE Systems. Current projects focus on X-ray micro-CT facilities, life cycle prediction of automotive materials, and fracture across scales.

He co-directs the Sheffield Tomography Centre, which provides advanced imaging capabilities for multi-scale material characterization, particularly supporting research in damage evolution and microstructural analysis.