Christopher Muhlstein has worked as an engineering consultant at Exponent, Inc. (Failure Analysis Associates). In September, 2002 he joined the faculty in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University and was tenured and promoted to associate professor in 2008.

Muhlstein’s research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of fracture and fatigue in bulk and thin film materials, including polymers, composites, metals, and ceramics. He is a Co-PI of the Composite Hybrid Materials Interfacing ( CHMI ) NSF-funded Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) and Associate Director of the Mechanical Properties Characterization Facility ( MPCF ). He currently serves as the Program Chair of the 15th International Conference on Fracture ( ICF15 ).

Education

• Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley (2002)
• M.S. in Metallurgy from the Georgia Institute of Technology (1996)
• B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley (1994)

Teaching Interests

Professor Muhlstein’s teaching interests center on undergraduate and graduate courses in materials science and engineering, with an emphasis on the mechanical behavior of materials, fracture mechanics, and materials characterization techniques. He is committed to providing students with a solid foundation in the principles governing material performance and failure, fostering analytical and experimental skills relevant to both academia and industry.

Research Interests

Professor Muhlstein’s research focuses on understanding the mechanical behavior and failure mechanisms of structural materials, including metals and ceramics. His work includes experimental and modeling approaches to characterize fracture, fatigue, and damage evolution under various environmental and loading conditions. This research aims to improve materials reliability and inform the design of advanced materials with enhanced performance in structural applications.