The European Academy of Sciences (EurASc) recently announced the 2026 winners of the Leonardo da Vinci Prize and Blaise Pascal Medal. Professor Alberto Carpinteri, Yangtze Chair Professor and Member of the European Academy of Sciences at the School of Engineering, Shantou University, received the 2026 Blaise Pascal Medal in Engineering for outstanding achievements in structural mechanics, fracture mechanics, size effect and material failure.

Established in 2003 by EurASc, the Blaise Pascal Medal recognizes worldwide scientists with remarkable contributions to science and engineering, as well as excellence in research and education. It represents the highest honour across academy divisions, with only one medal awarded annually in engineering. The citation acknowledged Professor Carpinteri’s “internationally recognized contributions to structural mechanics, fracture mechanics, size effect and material failure, which have fundamentally advanced engineering science over decades.”

Professor Carpinteri is a leading expert in international fracture and structural mechanics. Formerly Chair Professor of Solid and Structural Mechanics at Politecnico di Torino, he currently serves as Yangtze Chair Professor at Shantou University. He holds fellowships of the European Academy of Sciences, European Academy of Sciences and Arts, Academia Europaea, International Academy of Engineering and Turin Academy of Sciences. He headed the Engineering Division of EurASc (2016–2023) and chaired the International Blaise Pascal Medal Committee for Engineering.

His research covers concrete and rock fracture, brittle crack propagation and instability, fractal calculus, structural size effect, high-performance materials and structures, and earthquake prediction. He ranks among the top 0.1% of scientists in Stanford’s “Top 2% Scientists Worldwide” list. His previous accolades include the International Damage Mechanics Lifetime Achievement Award and ASTM George Irwin Medal. This award further demonstrates the global academic influence of the School of Engineering, Shantou University.