Lorenzo Donati

Lorenzo Donati was born in Cesena (FC) on November 13th 1974.

Academic Status
Since October 1, 2025, he is Full Professor (Sector 09/IIND-04 - Manufacturing Technologies and Systems, formerly ING/IND-16) at the Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN) in the School of Engineering (Forlì Campus) of the University of Bologna. Since September 1, 2014, he has been an Associate Professor at Unibo and previously, since March 1, 2006, University Researcher, always in the Scientific Disciplinary Sector ING-IND16. He has been qualified to act as a full professor (ASN) since July 20, 2017 (art. 16, paragraph 1, Law 240/10).

Studies

• Post Doctoral: From 2004 till 2006 on “FEM analysis of metal flow in aluminum extrusion dies”
• Ph.D.: From 2001 till 2004: he got the Ph. D. in the course on “Engineering of manufacturing systems, of metallurgy and applied measurements” of the Polytechnic University of Marche (Ancona, IT) in conjunction with the University of Bologna with a dissertation on “Seam weld formation during aluminum extrusion: FEM simulation and experimental verification of the mechanical and aesthetical proprieties”.
• Professional habilitation : 2001
• Master Degree (5 year course): 2001 Mechanical Engineering (Production planning and Manufacturing systems), Alma Mater Studiorum –University of Bologna with a dissertation on “FEM simulation of aluminum extrusion process for die life prediction” in cooperation with the aluminum extruder “Alluminio S. Marinese” (Serravalle , RSM). A summary of the dissertation was published as: L. Donati, L. Tomesani, “Analysis of material flow and welding in aluminium extrusion of hollow sections”, Atti del 5° Congresso AITeM (Bari) Giugno 2001, pagg. 679-688, vol. II. .
• Diploma: 1993, Scientific High School degree, in the Liceo Scientifico “A. Serpieri” Rimini, IT.

Teaching Activity

• Since the AA 2007/2008 he has been in charge of the teaching of Manufacturing Processes A CI mod. A (6 credits) at the School of Engineering and Architecture of the University of Bologna -Forlì Campus- in the degree course of Mechanical Engineering;
• Since the AA 2018/2019 he has been responsible for the course and lecturer of Module 1 (3 cfu) of Processes and Manufacturing Methods for Product Development M (6 cfu) at the School of Engineering and Architecture of the University of Bologna -Bologna Campus- in the degree courses of Mechanical and Management Engineering.
• Since the AA 2023/2024 he has been teaching Module 2 (3 cfu) of Technologies for Polymeric Composites P (6 cfu) at the School of Engineering and Architecture of the University of Bologna -Bologna Campus, Imola Campus- in the Professional Degree Course in Polymer Composites.
• Since the AA 2024/2025 he has been teaching the entire course of MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES FOR COMPOSITE MATERIALS (6 credits) at the School of Engineering and Architecture of the University of Bologna -Forlì Campus- in the Master's Degree course in Mechanical Engineering for Sustainability and shared with the Master's Degree in Nautical Engineering.
• Since the AA 2024/2025 he has been responsible for the course and lecturer of Module 1 (3 credits) of ADVANCED AND SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING (6 credits) at the School of Engineering and Architecture of the University of Bologna -Forlì Campus- in the Master's Degree course in Mechanical Engineering for Sustainability.
• Since the AA 2024/2025 he has been in charge of the course and lecturer of Module 1 (6 cfu) of Laboratory of technologies for polymer composites P (9 cfu) at the School of Engineering and Architecture of the University of Bologna -Bologna Campus- in the Professional Degree Course in Polymeric Composites.
• From the AA 2010/2011 to 2022/2023 he was the reference and lecturer of the course of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies and Composite Materials LM (6 cfu) at the School of Engineering and Architecture of the University of Bologna - Forlì Campus - in the Mechanical Engineering degree course (also borrowed for some years from the Aerospace Degree Course).
• From the AA 2015/2016 to 2019/2020 and for 2021/2022 he was the course manager and holder of module 2 (3 cfu) of Mechanical Technology L CI mod. B (6 cfu) at the School of Engineering and Architecture of the University of Bologna - Forlì Campus - in the Mechanical Engineering degree course.
• Since the AA 2015/2016 he has been a member of the Scientific Committee of the Master's Degree in Composite Materials (Ma.Co.F), activated by the Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari" (CHIMIND) of the Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna in collaboration with the Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician" (CHIM), the Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), the Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN) and the Flaminia Foundation, from the academic year 2015/2016 to 2022/2023 he was a teacher of the Course of Manufacturing Technologies with Composite Materials (5 credits), at this Master.
• He is discusser of more than 100 diploma and master thesis in the field of Mechanical, Aerospace and Industrial Engineering.
  

Member of International Boards

• 2022-present: Member of the “International Council on Materials Education" (https://icme.unt.edu/);
• 2011-present: Member of the Scientific Committee of ESAFORM - European Scientific Association for material FORMing as organizer of the symposium “Extrusion and Drawing” for the Editions 2011, 2012, 2013, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026;
• 2018: Member of the Scientific Committee of the Conference Metal Forming 2018 - International Conference on Metal Forming 2018;
• 2017: Member of the Scientific Committee of the Conference ICTP - International Conference on the Technology of Plasticity 2017;
• 2011: Member of the Scientific Project Evaluation Committee of “King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals”, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia;

Participation to Unibo Boards and Commissions

• Coordinator of the PhD Board of Mechanics and Advanced Engineering Sciences DIMSAI-Unibo (2022-today);
• Delegate to Internationalization of the DIN Department(2018-2022);
• Member of the PhD Board of Mechanics and Advanced Engineering Sciences DIMSAI-Unibo (2017-today);
• Member of the commission Quality assurance of the course Mechanical Engineering in Forlì (2018-today);
• Delegate to Internationalization of the course Mechanical Engineering in Forlì (2015-today);
• Member of the commission for the Admission to the Master Level of the course Mechanical Engineering in Forlì (2017-today);
  
• Member of the commission Study Plans of the course Mechanical Engineering in Forlì (2015-2017);
• Member of the Department Board DIN(2013-2014);
• Member of the University Board in Forlì (2010-2012).

Coordination and Participation to Research Projects

International research programs:

• 2024-2026: Local unit Coordinator (UniBo) ZEvRA Project - "Zero Emission electric Vehicles enabled by haRmonised circulArity" HORIZON-CL5-2023-D5-01-04, grant agreement 101138034;
• 2020-2023: Participation to Horizon 2020 "Spreading Excellence & Widening Participation: Twinning", grant agreement No 952463: Unique Materials for Advanced Aerospace Applications (UMA3);
• 2016-2018 MAECI funded project: Scientific Coordinator of MULTIDIE project "Multi Material smart extrusion dies with anti-wear bearing and printed cooling channels."
  
• 2016-2017 H2020-FTIPilot-2015-1: Local unit coordinator of CARBON RIM PROJECT - CARIM "Development and commercialization of a full carbon wheel manufactured with an automated high-volume process for the automotive market."
• 2014 FP7-NMP Participation to THERMACO Project "Smart Thermal conductive Al MMCs by casting";
• 2012-2013: FP7, Clean sky JTI: Pincipal Researcher and Reporting Coordinator of the BFCleaner Project "Borate Free Cleaners for Aluminum Alloys"

• 2023-2025: Principal Investigator del progetto PRIN 2022 “SCULPTROL – SCULPTuring by ROLling for multi-material bonding”, codice progetto 2022NMJC38
• 2024-2027: Call FISA-2022-0026 Theme Transport & Mobility, Partecipazione e coordinamento attività gruppo Tecnologia progetto Progetto “MADELEN” – Materials and Design for Electrical Engines”
• 2024-2025: Call “Progetti, riservati ai partner di ECOSISTER (Spoke e Affiliati)” Project partner “C-UP-Re-use of recycled Carbon-fiber for UPcycled applications in automotive industry”
• 2024-2026: Call PR-FESR Emilia-Romagna 2021-2027, Project Partner “Chyper - CYberPHysical Components and advanced matERials for monitoring and sensing”
• 2024-2025: Call PR-FESR Emilia-Romagna 2021-2027, Project Partner "DAREDEVIL - Digital Twins A suppoRto dEl DEVOps in ambienti IndustrialLi"
• 2024-2026: Call PR-FESR Emilia-Romagna 2021-2027, Project Partner "GIMCANA - GIunzioni Metallo-Composito ad Alta resisteNzA"
• 2022-2025: Call PNRR Progetti regionali, Project Partner “ECOSISTER- Ecosystem for Sustainable Transition in Emilia-Romagna”
• 2022: Unibo Coordinator of the project POR-FESR 2014-2020 - CALL TECH FAST LOMBARDIA with Company A.T.I.E. Uno Informatica S.R.L. on "Validazione dei risultati al fine di analizzare eventuali difetti di estrusione tra cui modifica dei grani e del loro posizionamento";
• 2019-today: Member of the Unibo Interdipartimental Centers for Industrial Research (CIRI) "Aerospace" and "Meccanica Avanzata e Materiali";
• 2014-2018: Participation and Unibo Reporting Coordinator of CLUSTER TECNOLOGICI NAZIONALI, Progetto "High Performance Manufacturing";
  
• 2016: Participation to Regional Funded project: ONDA SOLARE
• 2016: Participation to MISE Call project in conjunction with SACIMCompany
• 2009-2011: Participation and Unibo Reporting Coordinator of PRIN EXTRU-CHAIN - Estrusione di profili in lega leggera alto resistente
• 2008-2010: Participation to FIRB project with Ducati Motor "Definizione di una piattaforma integrata per la progettazione di componenti motore di motoveicoli a basso rapporto peso/potenza e ridotto impatto ambientale attraverso metodi di modellazione d'avanguardia e ricerca su nuovi materiali e nuove tecnologie di processo, anche trasferibili ad altre componenti veicolo";
• 2007-2008 Scientific Responsible of the project “Innovative joining (Friction Stir Welding) of sheets on aluminum extruded profiles “ founded by University of Bologna, young researchers action.
• 2005-2006: Participation to the PRIN project “Welding of foamed components by means of laser techniques”;
  
• 2004-2005: Participation to the FIT project “Prediction of seam weld formation during aluminum profile extrusion” Industrial partner: Compes Academic partners: Università di Roma, Università di Torino, Università di Padova, Università di Bologna.

Research contracts Funded by Companies

Since 2001 participated and coordinated several research contracts funded by companies, as: Alcan, Almag, Almax-Mori, Alubin, Alutitan, Apple, Aieuno, Blacks Compositi, Bucci Composites, Caterpillar, Compes, CPC Composites, Cuprum, Poggipolini, Faac, Far, Forgia Rapida, Icel, Lamborghini Automobili, Mape, Pandolfo, Profilati, Sapa, Sovema, Toyota Handling.
Some investigated topics:

• Influence of process parameters on the mechanical characteristics of FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymers) composite components;
• Characterization of polymeric and composite materials for implementation of 'material cards' in simulation codes;
• Characterization of composite materials exposed to environmental aging conditions (heat and humidity);
• Static and crashworthiness simulation of automotive components made by polymeric and composite material;
• Development of an aluminum alloy optimized for crashworth proprieties for automotive applications;
• Effect of the design of extrusion dies on the quality of the final product;
• Optimization of the microstructure of an aluminum alloy forged component;
• Production of extruded components in magnesium alloys;
• Evaluation of the origin of the defects 'streaks' on extruded profiles;
• Development of a titanium alloy forged component;
• Optimization of the stamping of a titanium alloy connecting rod;
• Optimization of the manufacturing cycle of a stainless steel rivet;
• Optimization of the rolling sequence of a shaped lead sheet;
• Training courses for Company personnel on light alloys extrusion process and on the production technologies of components in composite material.

Cooperations

• Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) (www.ntnu.edu), Trondheim NO, on analysis and optimization of the extrusion process;
• University of Strathclyde, Glasgow UK (www.strath.ac.uk), on digital twin of the extrusion process of light alloys;
• TU Dortmund, DE-Dept. IUL (www.iul.eu ) on analysis and optimization of the extrusion process.
• TU Delft, NL-Dept. LMP (www.tudelft.nl) on the microstructure evolution during forming processes and on die life prediction.
• Lehigh University, Bethlehem , PA, USA-Dept. INMATSCI (http://www.lehigh.edu/ ) on microstructure evolution during aluminum alloy extrusion.
• Italian: University of Ancona, Cagliari, Padova, Reggio Emilia, Palermo and Cosenza.

Member of Conference Committees and Reviewer for Journals

• ICTP 2011, International Conference on Technology of Plasticity
• ESAFORM, International ESAFORM Conference on Material Forming
• Metal Forming International conference
  
• ICEB, International Conference on Extrusion and Benchmark
• International Journal of Plasticity, Elsevier IF 4,356 (JCR 2012)
• Materials & Design, Elsevier IF 2,913 (JCR 2012)
• Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Elsevier IF 2,617 (JCR 2012)
• Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Elsevier IF 1,953 (JCR 2012)
• Tribology Letters, Springer IF 1,743 (JCR 2012)
• Tribology International, Elsevier IF 1,536 (JCR 2012)
• International Journal of Material Forming, Springer IF 0,509 (JCR 2012)
• Advanced Engineering Materials, Wiley IF 1.75 (JCR 2015)
• Engineering Computations, Emerald IF 1,214 (JCR 2012)
• Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, ASME IF 0,786 (JCR 2012)
• Journal of Engineering Tribology, SAGE IF 0,631 (JCR 2012)
• International Journal Of Materials & Product Technology, Inderscience IF 0,324 (JCR 2012)
• Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering, SAGE IF 0,305 (JCR 2012)

Conference Organization

Since 2007 he is co-organizer of the bi-annual conference “ICEB-International Conference on Extrusion and Benchmark”, co-organized with TU Dortmund-IUL Dept. up to 2013 and from 2015 in conjunction with Aluminium 2000 Conference.

Patent

1.      8/2008 (RM2008A438), University of Bologna, “Assembly of sheets on extruded profiles by means of the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) technology, design of an innovative profile shape for material filling” Donati Lorenzo, Troiani Enrico, Minak Giangiacomo, Morri Alessandro, Ceruti Alessandro.

Spoken Languages
Italian C2, English C1, German A2