Special Session 2

SPECIAL SESSION #2

Guido Di Bella

Department of Engineering, University of Messina

• guido.dibella@unime.it

The continuous advancement in additive manufacturing (AM), flexible electronics, and inkjet printing has opened new frontiers for sustainable production and resource-efficient manufacturing. These technologies enable the development of customized, lightweight, and material-efficient components, reducing waste and energy consumption compared to traditional processes. However, their widespread adoption in green applications requires an integrated approach that combines reliable metrology, advanced manufacturing strategies, and digital transformation tools to ensure quality, performance, and sustainability.

In this context, reverse engineering, digital twins, and AI-driven optimization play a crucial role in enhancing process control, defect prediction, and resource efficiency, aligning with the principles of Industria 5.0 for human-centric and sustainable production.

This Special Session aims to bring together experts working at the intersection of measurement science, additive manufacturing, and sustainable electronics, focusing on: i) Quality assurance and in-line monitoring in AM-based production of green electronics, including the characterization of conductive traces, dielectric materials, and functional coatings. ii) Integrated metrology and AI for process control, covering non-destructive testing (NDT), defect detection, and predictive maintenance in AM and printed electronics. iii) Dimensional, topographical, electrical, and thermal characterization to ensure performance and energy efficiency in devices such as fuel cells and innovative electronic enclosures. iv) Sustainability-driven metrology, including life cycle assessment, recyclability evaluation, and resource-efficient AM, leveraging reverse engineering and digital twins. v) Advanced measurement techniques (e.g., optical coherence tomography, terahertz imaging, and X-ray computed tomography) for structural validation and optimization of AM-produced components.

This session directly contributes to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including: SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, by enhancing the reliability of fuel cells and energy-efficient electronic components; SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, by fostering advanced manufacturing and metrology solutions for sustainable production; SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, by promoting resource-efficient manufacturing, recyclability, and sustainable material usage; SDG 13 – Climate Action: by reducing energy consumption and waste in electronic manufacturing through optimized AM processes.

This session will provide a platform for researchers, industry professionals, and technology developers to discuss novel measurement approaches, digital manufacturing innovations, and future trends in sustainable electronics and AM.

We invite contributions covering experimental techniques, theoretical models, case studies, and industrial applications, fostering discussions on how metrology and advanced manufacturing can drive innovation in sustainable production and green electronics.

I am an Associate Professor of Technologies and Production Systems at the Department of Engineering of the University of Messina. I teach Mechanical Technologies in the Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering, Production Technologies for Industry 4.0 in the Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and Sustainable Systems for Product Development in the Master’s Degree in Management Engineering. Additionally, I am the Head of the Living Lab 4 Additive Manufacturing (LivinGAM) and serve as Vice-Coordinator of the Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. I am also a member of the University Sustainability Commission, working within the University for Industry group.
From 2013 to 2020, I worked at the NAVTEC Technology Cluster for Naval Transport, and from 2005 to 2013, I held research positions first at the University of Palermo and then at CNR ITAE.
My research focuses on advanced manufacturing processes, including additive manufacturing, friction stir welding, joining techniques for similar and dissimilar materials, and the optimization of heat exchangers with Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) structures. Additionally, I work on digital manufacturing, process monitoring and optimization, and the integration of AI-driven methodologies for sustainable production.
I am the Scientific Coordinator of the PRIN project ProMEA, which aims to revolutionize the production of components for PEM electrolyzers, a key technology for green hydrogen generation. The project focuses on innovative manufacturing approaches to enhance efficiency, durability, and performance in hydrogen production systems.
I also lead the PNRR project SHIPLEARNING, developed by the NAVTEC Technology Cluster in collaboration with the Tringali Shipyard in Augusta and the Department of Engineering at the University of Messina. This project aims to innovate shipbuilding processes by integrating advanced technologies and scientific methods. The primary goal is to apply 3D scanning systems and artificial intelligence tools to optimize design phases and welding processes, with a strong focus on efficiency and sustainability.
I am the author of approximately 70 Scopus-indexed publications, with an H-Index of 24 and a Citation Index of 3,450. I am an Editor of Scientific Reports and also serve as a Guest Editor for a special issue on structural adhesives for metallic materials.
I have a strong entrepreneurial mindset. I previously founded the spin-off Procube, which focused on design, prototyping, and production, leveraging the idea of modularity and innovation embedded in the repetition of the prefix Pro (Prototyping, Production, Progress).
Since 2011, I have been a consultant for public and private entities in the field of energy/environmental efficiency planning and renewable energy system installation. I am also a Certified Energy Management Expert (EGE) under the UNI CEI 11339 standard.
Beyond academia, I am passionate about scientific publishing, student mentoring, and organizing outreach activities, including innovation challenges and third-mission projects with schools.