Gianfranco Palumbo

Gianfranco Palumbo serves as Full Professor and Director of the Mechanical Engineering Degree Program within the Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management at Polytechnic University of Bari. His research focuses on advanced manufacturing systems with specialization in laser processing, sustainable materials engineering, and biomedical prosthesis development.

His primary research domains include Manufacturing Technology, Materials Science, Laser Processing, Sheet Metal Forming, Biomedical Engineering, and Tribology. Current investigations emphasize eco-friendly metalworking processes using natural emulsions, optimization of hydroforming for end-of-life component reshaping, and development of patient-specific titanium prostheses through superplastic forming and mixed reality design systems. His work bridges industrial manufacturing with biomedical applications, particularly in cranial and cheekbone prosthesis development.

Analysis of his 2022-2024 publications reveals strong trends toward sustainable manufacturing solutions and advanced biomedical applications. Key themes include environmental impact reduction through natural metalworking fluids, computational optimization of forming processes using genetic algorithms, biomechanical evaluation of biomaterials, and integration of mixed reality in prosthesis design. His research consistently addresses material behavior under specialized forming conditions including laser heat treatment, superplastic deformation, and magnetorheological fluid applications.

Professor Palumbo leads research activities in advanced manufacturing laboratories focusing on laser processing systems, superplastic forming equipment, and biomechanical testing facilities for prosthetic development. His work integrates experimental testing with numerical simulation for process optimization in both industrial and medical contexts.