PeopleofSuperintelligence

Researcher

Michael A. Sutton

Also known as Michael Albert Sutton

Sutton is a mechanical engineering professor at the University of South Carolina whose measurement methods draw on computer-vision concepts. He is known for creating digital image correlation, a computer-based method that measures how structures deform under load. He joined the University of South Carolina faculty in 1982, and in 1997 he co-founded a company to transfer image correlation technology to industry. The National Academy of Engineering elected him in 2020, and ASME gave him the Timoshenko Medal in 2022. As of October 2026, he is a Carolina Research Professor at the university.

Works
333
Citations
22,385
h-index
60

Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 15 October 2026.

Timeline

  1. 1972–1981

    Degrees and a PhD in Illinois

    Starting at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, he earns BS and MS degrees in 1972 and 1974, then completes a PhD at Illinois in 1981.

  2. 1982

    Mechanical engineering faculty

    Joining the mechanical engineering faculty at the University of South Carolina in 1982, he begins work on digital image correlation, which draws on computer-vision concepts.

  3. 1990s

    A modified vision system

    In the early 1990s, it becomes clear that modifying the vision system can remove the limits of 2D-DIC.

  4. 1997

    Co-founding a company

    In 1997, he co-founds a company to transfer image correlation technology to industry.

  5. 2018

    Retiring from teaching

    In 2018, he retires from teaching and continues research with university colleagues and at Correlated Solutions.

  6. 2020

    Election to the National Academy

    The National Academy of Engineering elects him in 2020 for creating digital image correlation, a computer-based method that measures how structures deform under load.

  7. 2022

    The Timoshenko Medal

    ASME gives him the 2022 Timoshenko Medal.

  8. As of October 2026

    Carolina Research Professor

    At the Molinaroli College of Engineering, he is a Carolina Research Professor at the University of South Carolina.

Sources and credits

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  1. Sutton elected to National Academy of Engineering | Mechanical Science & Engineering | Illinois mechse.illinois.edu. Checked 15 October 2026.
  2. Decades of hard work pay off for engineering professor - USC News & Events | University of South Carolina sc.edu. Checked 15 October 2026.
  3. Sutton elected to National Academy of Engineering - Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing | University of South Carolina sc.edu. Checked 15 October 2026.
  4. Michael A. Sutton — IAS / SAE ias.si. Checked 15 October 2026.
  5. Michael A. Sutton - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  6. Co-founder Dr. Michael A. Sutton Elected to NAE — Correlated Solutions Digital Image Correlation correlatedsolutions.com. Checked 15 October 2026.
  7. Dr. Sutton Receives Timoshenko — Correlated Solutions Digital Image Correlation correlatedsolutions.com. Checked 15 October 2026.
  8. Stereo DIC Fundamentals & Relevance in Dynamic and Modal Studies — Correlated Solutions Digital Image Correlation correlatedsolutions.com. Checked 15 October 2026.