Dr. Petr Sittner | Memalloys | Best Research in Metal Fatigue

Head of Division at Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences | Czech Republic

Dr. Petr Šittner is an internationally renowned physicist and materials scientist specializing in shape memory alloys and martensitic transformations. He currently serves as the Head of the Functional Materials Department at the Institute of Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (FZU). His scientific contributions span over three decades and include more than 350 publications, 6 patents, and leadership in major European research projects. He is fluent in English, Japanese, Russian, and German, and has held visiting researcher positions in Japan, China, Belgium, France, and Australia. Dr. Šittner’s expertise and leadership have been recognized through various awards, and he has organized and chaired numerous international scientific conferences. His research has significantly influenced the development of smart materials for industrial and biomedical applications, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in materials science.

Professional Profiles

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Education

Dr. Šittner began his academic journey at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Charles University in Prague, where he earned his master’s degree in Solid State Physics in 1983. His thesis focused on the structural superplasticity of single-phase Zn-Cd alloys, demonstrating early interest in deformation and material behavior. He continued his academic pursuit at the Institute of Physics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (ASCR), where he received his CSc. (equivalent to Ph.D.) degree in 1992. His doctoral research explored the cyclic deformation of bicrystals of bcc alloys such as Fe-Si and Fe-Cr. Throughout his education, he built a strong foundation in materials physics, crystallography, and thermomechanical behavior. His academic qualifications were further enriched by multiple international research fellowships and scientific exchanges, which deepened his practical and theoretical understanding of advanced metallic systems, especially shape memory and functional materials.

Professional Experience

Dr. Šittner’s professional career began with his doctoral studies at the Institute of Physics, ASCR (1987–1991), followed by positions as a scientist and senior scientist. From 1993 to 1995, he served as a Research Associate at Mie University in Japan. He became the Head of the Functional Materials Department in 2009 and has led the Condensed Matter Division since 2016. He served as Vice Director of the Institute from 2012 to 2017. His extensive international experience includes research visits to institutions in China, Japan, Belgium, Australia, and France. Dr. Šittner has chaired key conferences such as SMST 2013 and ESOMAT 2009 and has served in multiple scientific advisory and editorial roles. His leadership extends to large-scale international research collaborations and EU projects. His professional trajectory reflects consistent engagement with cutting-edge research and institutional development in the field of smart and adaptive materials.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Šittner has received numerous honors for his outstanding scientific work. In 1992, he was awarded by the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic for a set of best scientific works. He received the Society of Materials Science Japan Award in 1996 and the Society of Mechanical Engineers Japan Award in 2001 for his contributions to research on shape memory alloys. In 2016, he earned the Werner Von Siemens Award for the best scientific work. He also received recognition for the best paper in the journal Shape Memory and Superelasticity in both 2019 and 2020. In 2021, he was awarded the prestigious Praemium Academiae by the Czech Academy of Sciences. Dr. Šittner has also served as co-editor of several journal special issues and conference proceedings and played leading roles in organizing international symposia, which further highlights his standing in the global scientific community.

Research Focus 

Dr. Šittner’s research focuses on the physical behavior of smart materials, particularly shape memory alloys (SMAs), martensitic phase transformations, and advanced deformation processes in metallic systems. His work emphasizes the development and experimental validation of multiscale models for thermomechanical properties and transformation phenomena in SMAs. He has made significant contributions to the application of X-ray and neutron diffraction techniques for in-situ monitoring of phase transitions and internal stress evolution in materials. His research extends to the development of nonhysteretic superelastic alloys for use in biomedical and aerospace systems. Dr. Šittner has led numerous European research initiatives, including projects under the FP6 and FP7 frameworks, addressing smart textiles, actuator materials, and adaptive systems. His most recent projects involve advancing imaging methods at JPARC (Japan) and developing adaptive engineering materials through the Praemium Academiae grant. His research approach integrates experimental mechanics, modeling, and material design.

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