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Petros Sofronis

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Associate Head for Mechanics Program

Professor

Contact Information

• Office: 149 Mechanical Engineering Building
• Mailing Address:
  

  149 Mechanical Engineering Building
  1206 West Green Street
  Urbana, IL 61801

• Phone Number: 217-333-2636
• Fax Number: 217-244-6534
• Email Address: sofronis AT illinois.edu

Research Description

Professor Sofronis studies solid mechanics, micromechanics and fracture mechanics. He is currently developing a mechanistic understanding of hydrogen embrittlement in pipeline steels to determine whether hydrogen fuel can be safely transported at enormous pressures through existing pipelines. These pipelines are formed from low-strength steel that deforms easily but also has high resistance to rupturing. He is particularly concerned with hydrogen embrittlement, in which materials fail catastrophically at much lower load levels than they can sustain in the absence of hydrogen. The steel in pipelines can have many impurities and inclusions, where hydrogen degradation can be initiated.

Continue reading about Prof. Sofronis's research.