COLUMBIA, SC – January 26, 2021 – The distinguished professor Michael Sutton of the University of South Carolina (UofSC) was awarded the Engineering Science Medal from the Society of Engineering Science (SES) for his “pioneering contributions” to the fields of mechanics solid experimental and material characterization through its creation of digital image correlation technology (DIC). The recognition highlights the growing importance of DIC technology that is now used in almost every field of engineering.
Today, NASA uses DIC technology for testing structures and materials. It is used by Proctor and Gamble to evaluate the effectiveness of its anti-wrinkle creams. The United States Army uses it to make its equipment more resistant to the shock of explosions. It is helping to increase rail safety, the effectiveness of bridge inspections and the reliability of manufacturing standards.
“Receiving this recognition from SES, whose members embody the principles of scientific and engineering excellence, takes me by surprise,” says Sutton. “My reaction is probably because you don’t fully realize what has been accomplished until your colleagues recognize your contributions. I am truly honored that SES scientists and engineers have decided that what my group and I have accomplished is significant enough and impactful to be received a of the greatest recognitions of SES. “
Sutton has been a professor in the mechanical engineering department at the Faculty of Engineering and Computing at UofSC for almost four decades, where his work in digital image correlation has made him a pioneer in the field. His research advanced the entire field of mechanical engineering, allowing the measurement of total field deformations in structures in a wide spectrum of materials. In early 2020, he was also elected to the National Academy of Engineering, which is the highest recognition that an individual can receive in the field of engineering.
“Mike has been an excellent researcher and professor, and his contributions continue to have a profound impact on the work of many practitioners of experimental mechanics,” said Hossein Haj-Hariri, dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Computing. “We are particularly proud that Mike’s contributions have emerged over the course of a career entirely at our college and with our students and colleagues over many years. It is an honor to be your colleague.”
Sutton started working with digital image correlation at UofSC in 1982, shortly after completing his doctorate at the Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics at the University of Illinois. In 1997, through his research at UofSC, he co-founded Correlated Solutions, Incorporated to transfer DIC technology to industry, government and academic laboratories worldwide. Today, Correlated Solutions is a leader in digital image correlation and now does business globally, with DIC systems on every continent except Antarctica. It is also the only DIC system provider based in the USA. Sutton currently holds a consultancy role at the company, with his PhD students, Hubert Schreier and Stephen McNeill, overseeing daily operations as CEO and CFO, respectively.
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The Society of Engineering Science has about 900 members, and its annual technical meeting is recognized as one of the main forums for researchers in the field. Each year, they present six medals – the Young Researcher Medal, the Rice Medal, the Taylor Medal, the Prager Medal, the Eringen Medal and the Engineering Science Medal. The Engineering Science Medal recognizes a “uniquely important contribution” to the field of engineering science and offers the recipient a $ 2,000 prize and lifetime membership to SES.
Photos of Michael Sutton can be accessed, downloaded and used at the link: http: // uofsccec.
About the University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a globally recognized high impact research university, committed to a superior student experience and dedicated to innovation in learning, research and community engagement. Founded in 1801, the university offers more than 350 degree programs and is the only high-level research institution of the state’s Carnegie Foundation. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of 20 locations across the state, including the research campus in Columbia. With 56 nationally ranked academic programs, including the best programs in international business, the country’s best honor faculty and distinguished programs in engineering, law, medicine, public health and the arts, the university is helping to build healthier and more educated communities in South Carolina and around the world.
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