Gilles Francfort

Gilles Francfort is a Visiting Professor of Mathematics at New York University’s Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences and a former Professor of Mathematics at Université Sorbonne Paris Nord (previously Université Paris-Nord). He is a Senior Member of the Institut Universitaire de France (2011–2016). His research focuses on calculus of variations, solid mechanics, and mathematical modeling of fracture and damage processes.

Education:

• Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University (1982)
• Habilitation à diriger des recherches, Université Paris 6 (1989)
• Ingénieur Civil des Ponts et Chaussées, École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées (1978)

Research Interests: Francfort’s work bridges applied mathematics and mechanics, with a focus on variational approaches to fracture mechanics, elasto-plasticity, homogenization theory, and damage evolution. His contributions include foundational studies on energy minimization models for brittle fracture and quasistatic evolution in inelastic materials.

Publications: His recent work explores topics like phase-field models for fracture nucleation, elasto-dielectric composites, and healing processes in elastomers. His research trends emphasize multiscale modeling, variational methods, and computational mechanics.

Awards:

• Senior Member, Institut Universitaire de France (2011–2016)

Advising & Grants: Advised notable students including Blaise Bourdin (McMaster University) and Jean-François Babadjian (Université Paris-Saclay). His grants and collaborations span mechanics of materials, mathematical analysis, and computational methods.

Professional Activities: Editorial board member of Annales de l’Institut Henri Poincaré (C) Analyse Non Linéaire. Recent conference participation includes the GAMM Seminar on Microstructures (2024) and the Workshop on Differential Inclusions in Continuum Mechanics (2024).