PhD in Material Processing Engineering
Current position: Professor at the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China
Research focus: laser-based additive manufacturing and 3D printing (AM/3DP) of high-performance materials
2015 Top-Notch Young Talents Programme of China
2015 Second Class Award for Research Excellence in Natural Sciences, Ministry of Education China
2015 Second Class Award of the Science and Technology Awards of Jiangsu Province China
2009-2011 Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship at theFraunhofer Institute (ILT), Germany
CV as submitted for the Green Talents award (2012):
College of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China
Research focus: green remanufacturing of metal components using laser technology
With the aid of advanced laser technology, Gu Dongdong is developing the clean, green, no-waste industrial process known as rapid remanufacturing to bring “useless” metal components, such as wind turbine gear systems, back to mint condition – or even better.
Metal components inevitably become worn, damaged and even non-functioning after long-term industrial use. Current recycling practices involve the reclaiming of metal materials through re-melting, a high-energy process with negative impacts on the environment, including groundwater contamination and air pollution.
Gu Dongdong, Professor of Laser Materials Processing at the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, focuses on a greener, more cost-effective alternative to re-melting: remanufacturing. His research, which combines laser technology, mechanical engineering, materials science and metallurgical engineering, is helping to develop this increasingly favoured and comprehensive industrial process lauded as the “ultimate form of recycling”.
“Laser remanufacturing is not merely repair or maintenance,” explains Gu. “Sometimes the laser re-manufactured metal parts actually offer superior performance, reliability and lifetime.” Gu’s so-called “laser metal deposition (LMD)” process is non-polluting and is free of waste material, making it an all around green solution. And according to Gu, the price is right, too, with remanufactured components just 40%-60% the cost of new ones.
The jury praised Gu as a highly motivated and innovative young scientist making important contributions by developing processes that save in both energy and material wastage. His extensive list of publications in the field of laser rapid re-/manufacturing also earned Gu the jury’s commendation.
