Our research focus is in the mechanical characterization of solids and structures in challenging environments, and at high temperatures in particular. We are especially interested in the role that environment plays on a material's ability to withstand heterogeneous failure mechanisms such as fracture, fatigue, and creep.

Our lab uses advanced imaging techniques to extract full-field, in situ strain and temperature measurements across multiple length scales. These techniques are applied to a wide variety of advanced high temperature materials (including metals, ceramics, and composites), with applications geared towards the energy, aerospace, and nuclear industries.

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News

Mar 4, 2019: Adam Smith is awarded a fellowship from the NEUP Integrated University Program. Congratulations Adam!

Feb 22, 2019: Our lab swept at the 2019 MAE Department awards!  Congratulations to:

1. Katie Burn as Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher of the Year;
2. Thinh Thai as Outstanding M.S. Researcher of the Year; and
3. Chris Stolinski as Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year!
4. Prof. Berke was also recognized as the MAE Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year for the fourth consecutive year!

Feb 19, 2019: Thinh's paper, "The Importance of Exposure Time on DIC Measurement Uncertainty at Extreme Temperatures," is available from Experimental Techniques.

Dec 10, 2018: Matt Calvin, Weston Craig, Ben Hill, and Fiona Van Leeuwen are all accepted for the Engineering Undergraduate Research Program. Congratulations!

Dec 6, 2018: Chris Stolinski defends his MS thesis on "Inter-laminar Dynamic Fracture of 3D-Printed Plastics."  Congratulations Chris!

News Archive