University of Illinois at Chicago Office of Public Affairs (MC 288)
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August 9, 2001

Contact: Paul Francuch (312) 996-3457; francuch@uic.edul

UIC HONORS MATERIALS ENGINEERING EXPERT

Highland Park resident Alexander Chudnovsky, a professor of mechanics and materials in the department of civil and materials engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago, has been named a UIC Distinguished Professor for his internationally recognized work in the field of reliability and fracture mechanics of engineering materials.

"Professor Chudnovsky's notable contributions to fracture mechanics of engineering materials laid the foundation to improve their reliability," said Lawrence Kennedy, College of Engineering dean. "He is an international authority who is well deserving of this honor."

Chudnovsky joined the UIC faculty in 1986 as professor of mechanics and materials and was appointed director of UIC's Fracture Mechanics and Materials Durability Laboratory.

He is credited with major contributions to the fundamental understanding, theoretical development and experimental advances in strength of materials, fracture mechanics, lifetime prediction of materials and reliability assessments of structures and structural components.

Chudnovsky's work has led to improvements in the durability of engineering structures in service conditions characterized by extreme temperatures, high load rates, X-ray radiation and chemically aggressive environments.

His pioneering research on what he calls "crack layer theory" resulted in improved hydraulic rock fracture techniques used to enhance gas and oil production, more accurate risk assessment of catastrophic gas pipeline failure and more reliable lifetime prediction for polymers and polymer composites used in aerospace applications ranging from F-16 jet fighter canopies to Boeing 767 disc brakes.

Chudnovsky received a bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from the Odessa Civil Engineering Institute. He earned a Ph.D. in applied mathematics from the Leningrad Civil Engineering Institute. Prior to his appointment at UIC, Chudnovsky held faculty positions at the Leningrad Military Engineering Academy, the Novosibirsk Electrotechnical Institute, and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

A prolific writer, Chudnovsky has published more than 220 articles in his area of expertise. Many of his former students, now in careers around the world, continue to collaborate with him on projects and publications.

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