Professor Pimenta Claro (1957-2018): Pioneer in dynamics of mechanical systems at the University of Minho

Abstract

This work highlights the importance of Professor Pimenta Claro in the genesis and development of a new scientific area at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Minho, namely Dynamics of Mechanical Systems. Professor Pimenta Claro initiated his academic career in October 1980, coming from industry, where he was a well-recognized engineer in the field of mechanical design. Professor Pimenta Claro concluded his Pedagogical Aptitude and Scientific Capacity Tests (PAPCC) – MSc equivalent – in 1987, with dissertation title “Estudo Comparativo das Previsões Teóricas do Desempenho de Chumaceiras Radiais Hidrodinâmicas com Resultados Experimentais”. Professor Pimenta Claro received his doctorate degree in 1994 with thesis “Reformulação de Método de Cálculo de Chumaceiras Radiais Hidrodinâmicas – Análise do Desempenho Considerando Condições de Alimentação” under the mentorship of Professor Sousa Miranda, which was in fact the first PhD in Mechanical Engineering defended at the University of Minho. In 1997, Professor Pimenta Claro broken with his past background – classical tribology – to open a new research domain – Dynamics of Mechanical Systems. Since then, Professor Pimenta Claro has coordinated and participated in several scientific projects both with national and international partners, as well as projects with industrial partners. Professor Pimenta Claro was author of numerous publications, including scientific papers, books, conference papers, etc., and supervised PhD and MSc students. From 2007 to 2013 he coordinated the research group called Dynamics of Mechanical Systems. Professor Pimenta Claro was also pioneer and responsible for the creation of new courses on dynamics of mechanical systems offered in different degrees at the School of Engineering of the University of Minho. Thus, the main purpose of this work is to highlight Pimenta Claro’s contributions to the vast scientific area of Dynamics of Mechanical Systems at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Minho.