Profilo personale: Fabrizio Dughiero

Course Overview: Electromagnetic Processing of Materials (EPM) and Electroheat Technologies

The aim of this course is to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in using Electromagnetic Processing of Materials (EPM) and Electroheat technologies to produce advanced materials and enhance the properties of traditional ones. EPM is gaining prominence as a cutting-edge and sustainable method for material processing, capable of significantly reducing energy consumption compared to conventional fossil-fuel-based methods like gas heating. This energy efficiency, combined with the potential for more precise control over heating processes, makes EPM an essential technology in today’s drive towards sustainability and green engineering.

Why EPM Matters for Sustainability and Future Engineers

One of the key benefits of EPM is its ability to save primary energy by using electricity, which can be sourced from renewable energy, as opposed to fossil fuels. This not only reduces CO₂ emissions but also minimizes waste by providing precise, localized heating, lowering the overall environmental footprint. For these reasons, it is crucial that future technicians and engineers possess a deep understanding of these technologies, as they will play a pivotal role in the shift towards sustainable manufacturing across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and electronics.

Technologies Covered in the Course

The course will cover a range of Electromagnetic and Electroheat technologies, focusing on their applications, advantages, and challenges:

1. Resistance Heating: Widely used in industrial furnaces, resistance heating transforms electrical energy directly into heat.
2. Conduction Heating: A method that relies on direct heat transfer from one material to another.
3. Induction Heating: A highly efficient method of heating conductive materials through electromagnetic induction, ideal for rapid and localized heating applications such as surface hardening and melting.
4. Radio Frequency (RF) Heating: This method utilizes RF waves to heat dielectric materials, offering precise control over temperature and penetration depth, especially in applications like curing, drying, and food processing.
5. Microwave Heating: This technique provides volumetric heating of non-conductive materials, commonly used in ceramics and polymer processing, food processing and much more.

State-of-the-Art Facilities and Practical Application

To bridge theory and practice, students will have access to one of the world’s most advanced Electroheat laboratories. Our State-of-the-Art facilities enable hands-on experience with industrial-scale equipment, allowing students to experiment with real-world applications of the technologies discussed in the course. From performing induction heating experiments to optimizing microwave heating for different materials, students will engage in experiments that mimic industry-standard processes, preparing them for future challenges in the field.

Project work

The course will offer to students a unique opportunity to develop the team building skills by the requested preparation of a final project work dealing with one of the electriheat technologies

Categoria DIPARTIMENTO DI INGEGNERIA INDUSTRIALE - DII / A.A. 2024 - 2025 / Corsi di laurea magistrale / IN2647 - MATERIALS ENGINEERING