Umberto Lucia

• - Fundamental and applied aspects of thermodynamics • An analysis of irreversible processes was conducted by developing the theory of Gibbs, Shannon, and Jaynes and introducing stochastic ordering with respect to thermodynamic paths in irreversible processes of open systems with dissipation, for engineering applications, highlighting the fundamental role of entropy production. • The equivalence of internal entropy generation with entropy production in the environment was demonstrated. • This was then applied to the problem of fluid flows, to the chemical reactions of cyanobacteria to produce biofuels from photosynthesis reactions, and to the thermodynamic analysis of open systems in relation to entropy variation. • Finally, the principle of structural irreversibility of matter was formulated, with particular attention to the irreversibility of open quantum systems by developing the analysis of atomic irreversibility, related to the photon-atomic electron interaction, starting from Planck's black-body results. - Thermofluid-dynamics in biological systems • A thermodynamic approach to biological matter has been developed, focusing on irreversible and non-equilibrium processes, with particular attention to the analysis of irreversibility in tumor growth, based on exergy analysis. • In this context, experiments to verify the developed theory were also designed and implemented (infrared thermographic analysis to determine temperature variations of healthy and tumor cellular systems with respect to the environment). • In this way, the biophysical effect generated by our anticancer treatment system was highlighted, in terms of variations in mass (ionic) and energy flows, which can be used by the cellular system, introducing the concept of thermal and thermomagnetic resonance. - Transport Phenomena • In the biomedical field, in relation to the properties of soft matter, the relationship between intraocular pressure and the mass transport of Cl−, Na+, K+, Fe2+, and Ca2+ has been determined, using first-principle analysis on both cancer cells and the ocular system, with particular attention to the trabecular meshwork. • In the ophthalmic field, a relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) and ambient temperature has been determined, thus establishing a parameterization useful for workplace safety procedures in high-temperature environments, as well as for thermal and tonometric monitoring during cross-linking procedures. - Energy Efficiency, Thermoeconomics, & Energy Transition • Analysis of the UN HDI indicator highlighted its limitations and implemented its use with the introduction of the new THDI index. This allowed us to develop an exergy analysis of biofuel production, leading to a study on how to optimize their production with a comparative analysis based on mutualism. • Finally, the THDI index was used to analyze the potential use of agro-industrial waste, with particular attention to rice straw, which is currently not used industrially. Its use for methane production was thus analyzed. - Refrigeration Technologies • Thermophysical analysis was also developed for the application of the magnetocaloric effect in refrigerator design, with particular attention to the use of ferrofluids and their thermofluid-dynamic and paramagnetic properties. - Quantum Thermodynamics • Irreversibility was analyzed in the atomic realm, when the Franck-Condon approximation is not considered, and its consequences for the concept of macroscopic irreversibility, with the introduction of a new analytical expression, the concept of non-equilibrium temperature, and the thermodynamic definition of time. • An explanation of the quantum Zeno effect was introduced based on the definition of time and therefore of irreversibility in the interaction between the open quantum system and the experimental apparatus.

ERC sectors

SDG

• Siebel Energy Institute - Smart Energy conferred by Siebel Energy Institute, United States (2015)
• Constructal Law Prize conferred by Constructal Law Board (2024)

• Fellow - Constructal Law & Second Law Conference, Brasile (2018-2019)
  Member of the Scientific Commitee - Constructal Law & Second Law Conference, Porto Alegre, 2019
• Fellow - Constructal Law & Second Law Conference, Romania (2016-2017)
  Member of the Scientific Commitee - Constructal Law & Second Law Conference, Bucarest 2017
• Fellow - US Department of Energy (DOE) - Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES) - Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) program, Stati Uniti (2014-2015)
  Reviewer
• Fellow - Constructal Law & Second Law Conference, Parma 2015, Italia (2014-2015)
  Member of the Scientific Commitee
• Fellow - Collège Doctoral, Ecole Doctorale 3MPL, ISMANS, Institut Supérieur des Matériaux et Mécanique Avancés, École d'Ingénieurs, Université di Main, Le Mans (France), Francia (2012-2013)
  Member of the Commission (19 February 2013)
• Fellow - Third SPMC Conference 3rd international Workshop on Statistical Physics and Mathematics for Complex Systems SPMCS'2012 (25-30 August, Kazan, Russia, Federazione Russa (2012)
  Member of the Scientific Commitee

• FRONTIERS IN PHYSICS (2020-), Associate Editor of magazine or editorial series
• INVENTIONS (2018-), Director
• ENTROPY (2015), Guest Editor of magazine or editorial series
• HELIYON (2015-2024), Editorial board member

• Constructal Law & Second Law Conference – Porto Alegre (11/3/2019-12/3/2019), Program committee
• Constructal Law & Second Law Conference - Bucarest (15/5/2017-16/5/2017), Program committee
• Constructal Law & Second Law Conference - Parma (18/5/2015-19/5/2015), Participation to the organizing committee
• Third SPMC Conference 3rd international Workshop on Statistical Physics and Mathematics for Complex Systems PMCS'2012 - 25-30 August, Kazan, Russia (25/8/2012-30/8/2012), Program committee

• Visiting Researcher, presso École Polytechnique de Montréal (1/1/2013-31/12/2015)

• Convenzione Dip. ex art. 15 tra PoliTo_DENERG e l’Istituto Tecnico Industriale “Alessandro Volta” (Resp. Prof. Umberto Lucia) - “l’identificazione, promozione e sviluppo di iniziative e programmi di studio e ricerca congiunti, finalizzati a condividere esperienze e informazioni in temi di interesse tecnico - scientifico connessi al settore dell’energetica, della sostenibilità, dell’ambiente e della sicurezza nei luoghi di lavoro, e di tutte le problematiche connesse a questi temi, per il raggiun, (2025-2028) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Non-commercial collaboration agreements with public institutions
• ATTO DI MODIFICA E RINNOVO DELLA CONVENZIONE ISTITUTIVA DEL CENTRO INTERATENEO DI STUDI PER LA PACE – CISP, (2023-2027) - Membro di Comitato
  Inter-university centres
• Accordo di collaborazione ex art. 15, L. 241/90 tra il Politecnico di Torino – Dipartimento Energia “Galileo Ferraris” - DENERG e Università degli Studi di Torino – Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, (2022-2025) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Non-commercial collaboration agreements with public institutions
• Accordo attuativo nel Settore dell'Oculistica dell’Accordo quadro tra l’Azienda Ospedaliera “SS. Antonio e Biagio e C. Arrigo” di Alessandria e il Politecnico di Torino – Dipartimento Energia (DENERG), (2021-2022) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Non-commercial collaboration agreements
• Settore della Medicina Fisica e Riabilitazione, (2021-2022) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Non-commercial collaboration agreements with public institutions

• ENERGETICA, 2024/2025 (40. ciclo)
  Politecnico di TORINO

• Collegio di Ingegneria Biomedica. Componente

PhD

• Thermodynamics of irreversibility. A.A. 2025/26, ENERGETICA. Main teacher
• Introductory Nano- and Quantum Thermal Physics. A.A. 2025/26, ENERGETICA. Main teacher
• Introductory Nano- and Quantum Thermal Physics. A.A. 2024/25, ENERGETICA. Main teacher
• Thermodynamics of irreversibility. A.A. 2024/25, ENERGETICA. Main teacher
• Thermodynamics of irreversibility. A.A. 2023/24, ENERGETICA. Main teacher
• Thermodynamics of irreversibility. A.A. 2022/23, ENERGETICA. Main teacher
• Thermodynamics of irreversibility. A.A. 2021/22, ENERGETICA. Main teacher

Master of Science

• Terapie termiche. A.A. 2025/26, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
• Terapie termiche. A.A. 2024/25, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
• Terapie termiche. A.A. 2023/24, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
• Terapie termiche. A.A. 2022/23, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
• Terapie termiche. A.A. 2021/22, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
• Terapie termiche. A.A. 2020/21, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
• Terapie termiche. A.A. 2019/20, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso

Bachelor of Science

• Termodinamica applicata e trasmissione del calore. A.A. 2025/26, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
• Termodinamica applicata e trasmissione del calore. A.A. 2025/26, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
• Termodinamica applicata e trasmissione del calore. A.A. 2024/25, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
• Termodinamica applicata e trasmissione del calore. A.A. 2023/24, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
• Termodinamica applicata e trasmissione del calore. A.A. 2022/23, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
• Termodinamica applicata e trasmissione del calore. A.A. 2021/22, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
• Termodinamica applicata e trasmissione del calore. A.A. 2020/21, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
• Termodinamica applicata e trasmissione del calore. A.A. 2019/20, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
• Termodinamica applicata e trasmissione del calore. A.A. 2019/20, INGEGNERIA MECCANICA. Titolare del corso

• Gruppo di Ricerca M3ES (DENERG)
• Research Group THEAM (DENERG)

Projects funded by competitive calls

• ELF - Validazione del sistema di inibizione della crescita tumorale con campi EMF-ELF utilizzando in vitro cellule del sarcoma osseo animale e umano, (2023-2023) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Corporate-funded and donor-funded research
• PlaSNeuriM - Plantare per la stimolazione neuro-riabilitativa motoria , (2021-2022) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Corporate-funded and donor-funded research
• ReVideo - POC Instrument: Dispositivo e metodo per la riabilitazione visiva, (2020-2021) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Corporate-funded and donor-funded research

Projects funded by commercial contracts

• Convenzione di interesse dipartimentale tra il Politecnico di Torino - DENERG e il Centro Studi Galileo S.r.l. per la reciproca collaborazione nell’ambito nei settori delle tecnologie e dei sistemi energetici connessi all’uso industriale del freddo, loro modelli e gestione, nonché della loro analisi socio-economica, (2022-2025) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Departmental agreements
• Accordo di collaborazione ex art. 15 L. 241/1990 tra il Politecnico di Torino – DENERG e l’Università degli Studi di Torino – Dipartimento di Oncologia e Dipartimento di Scienze della Sanità Pubblica e Pediatriche (DSSPP) relativo al Progetto di ricerca TANGO., (2021-2026) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Departmental agreements
• Convenzione dipartimentale tra il Politecnico di Torino - DENERG e DAUIN, l’Azienda Ospedaliera S.S. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo di Alessandria - Struttura Complessa di Oculistica e l’Università degli Studi di Torino - Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche per una collaborazione nel settore dell’Oculistica, finalizzata alla realizzazione del Progetto di Ricerca denominato “MEasurement of Properties of the CORnea”, (periodo sconosciuto) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Departmental agreements
• Impatto dei Critical Raw Materials sulle filiere tecnologiche di produzione e accumulo dell’energia rinnovabile, (2024-2024) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Commercial Research
• Convenzione dipartimentale tra il Politecnico di Torino - DENERG e l'Associazione Non-Profit KIRON - Studi sulla Comunicazione e Mediazione Organizzativa, (2021-2024) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Departmental agreements
• Sviluppo del progettoReVideo con acquisizione dati da OCT, (2021-2024) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Commercial Research
• Sviluppo del progetto ReVideo con acquisizione dati da OCT, (2021-2021) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Commercial Research
• Accordo no Profit (Convenzione di interesse dipartimentale) tra Politecnico di Torino – Dipartimento Energia "Galileo Ferraris" (DENERG) e lo Studio Oculistico Vercesi per l’utilizzo e lo sviluppo di un software sulla riabilitazione visiva., (2021-2022) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Departmental agreements
• Convenzione dipartimentale ai sensi dell'art. 15 L. 241/1990 tra il Politecnoci di Torino e l'Istituto Tecnico Industriale "Alessandro Volta", (2019-2022) - Responsabile contrattuale
  Departmental agreements
• Studio di fattibilità di una possibile soluzione per un impianto energetico presso la propria azienda, consistente nel fornire una possibile soluzione energetica per la qualificazione sostenibile della stessa, (2018-2019) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Consulting
• Convenzione tra il Politecnico di Torino - Dipertimento Energia, l'Università degli Studi di Torino - Dipartimento Scienze Madiche e l'Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo di Alessandria per un rapporto di collaborazione e le relative modalità di attuazione nell'ambito delle attività di ricerca e formazione nel settore dell'Oculistica, (2018-2021) - Responsabile contrattuale
  Departmental agreements

• Giulia Grisolia. Programme in Energetica (35^th cycle, 2019-2022)
  Thesis: Biofuels from micro-organisms: Thermodynamic analysis of sustainability
  
  Energy systems sustainability and optimization
  Renewable energy
  Energy systems sustainability and optimization
  Renewable energy

• Lucia, U.; Grisolia, G.; Saputi, G.; Masero, L.; Conta, G. (2025)
  Thermal physical modelling for eye injury prevention in high environmental temperature workplaces. In: ICSI 2025 International Conference on Safety & Innovation, Rome, Italy, 11,12 and 13 March 2025, pp. 338-349. ISBN: 978-88-7484-915-4
  Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
• Lucia, Umberto; Grisolia, Giulia; Kuzemsky, Alexander L. (2025)
  Action, time and entropy: The mechanical origin. In: ATTI DELLA ACCADEMIA PELORITANA DEI PERICOLANTI, CLASSE DI SCIENZE FISICHE, MATEMATICHE E NATURALI, vol. 103, pp. 1-27. ISSN 1825-1242
  Contributo su Rivista
• Lucia, U.; Grisolia, G. (2025)
  Preliminary Considerations on the Co-Production of Biomethane and Ammonia from Algae and Bacteria. In: INVENTIONS, vol. 10, pp. 1-20. ISSN 2411-5134
  Contributo su Rivista
• Lucia, U.; Grisolia, G. (2024)
  Energy Amplifier Systems as Sustainable Nuclear Reactors: An Overview. In: SUSTAINABILITY, vol. 16, pp. 1-14. ISSN 2071-1050
  Contributo su Rivista
• Lucia, Umberto; Grisolia, Giulia (2024)
  Thermodynamic Considerations on the Biophysical Interaction between Low-Energy Electromagnetic Fields and Biosystems. In: MEMBRANES, vol. 14, pp. 1-12. ISSN 2077-0375
  Contributo su Rivista
• Lucia, U.; Grisolia, G. (2024)
  A Thermo-Economic Measure of Sustainability. In: PROCESSES, vol. 12, pp. 1-17. ISSN 2227-9717
  Contributo su Rivista
• Lucia, Umberto; Grisolia, Giulia; Ponzetto, Antonio; Deisboeck, Thomas S. (2024)
  Thermophysical Insights into the Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Magnetic Fields. In: BIOMEDICINES, vol. 12, pp. 1-11. ISSN 2227-9059
  Contributo su Rivista
• Lucia, U.; Grisolia, G. (2024)
  DEFINITION OF TIME: FROM THE SECOND TO CONSTRUCTAL LAW. In: CONSTRUCTAL LAW CONFERENCE - DESIGN IN NATURE AND EVOLUTION, Bucharest, 11-14 October 2024, pp. 37-40
  Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
• Torchio, Marco Filippo; Lucia, Umberto; Grisolia, Giulia (2024)
  Development Indexes, Environmental Cost Impact, and Well-Being: Trends and Comparisons in Italy. In: SUSTAINABILITY, vol. 16, pp. 1-21. ISSN 2071-1050
  Contributo su Rivista
• Lucia, Umberto; Grisolia, Giulia (2024)
  Magnetocaloric Refrigeration in the Context of Sustainability: A Review of Thermodynamic Bases, the State of the Art, and Future Prospects. In: ENERGIES, vol. 17, pp. 1-25. ISSN 1996-1073
  Contributo su Rivista
• Lucia, Umberto; Bergandi, Loredana; Grisolia, Giulia; Fino, Debora; Mareschi, Katia; ... (2024)
  The exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic-fields inhibits the growth and potentiates the sensitivity to chemotherapy of bidimensional and tridimensional human osteosarcoma models. In: BIOMÉDECINE & PHARMACOTHÉRAPIE, vol. 177, pp. 1-8. ISSN 0753-3322
  Contributo su Rivista
• Lucia, U. (2023)
  Irreversible and quantum thermodynamic considerations on the quantum zeno effect. In: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, vol. 13, pp. 1-6. ISSN 2045-2322
  Contributo su Rivista
• Lucia, Umberto; Fino, Debora; Deisboeck, Thomas S.; Grisolia, Giulia (2023)
  A Thermodynamic Perspective of Cancer Cells’ Volume/Area Expansion Ratio. In: MEMBRANES, vol. 13, pp. 1-7. ISSN 2077-0375
  Contributo su Rivista
• Carpinteri, Alberto; Borla, Oscar; Lucia, Umberto; Zucchetti, Massimo (2023)
  TeraHertz Vibrations and Phono-Fission Reactions from Crushing of Iron-rich Natural Rocks. In: JOURNAL OF CONDENSED MATTER NUCLEAR SCIENCE, vol. 37, pp. 84-97. ISSN 2227-3123
  Contributo su Rivista
• Lucia, Umberto; Grisolia, Giulia (2023)
  Non-holonomic constraints: Considerations on the least action principle also from a thermodynamic viewpoint. In: RESULTS IN PHYSICS, vol. 48, pp. 1-5. ISSN 2211-3797
  Contributo su Rivista
• Lucia, U.; Grisolia, G. (2023)
  From Ion Fluxes in Living Cells to Metabolic Power Considerations. In: MATHEMATICS, vol. 11, pp. 1-7. ISSN 2227-7390
  Contributo su Rivista
• Lucia, U.; Grisolia, G.; Fino, D.; Deisboeck, T. S. (2023)
  A Constructal law perspective of cancer’s volume/area expansion ratio. In: Constructal Law Conference 2023 "Freedom. Design and Evolution", Torino, 21-22 settembre 2023, pp. 166-169. ISBN: 978-975-461-616-3
  Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
• Lucia, U.; Deisboeck, T. S.; Ponzetto, A.; Grisolia, G. (2023)
  A Thermodynamic Approach to the Metaboloepigenetics of Cancer. In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, vol. 24, pp. 1-8. ISSN 1422-0067
  Contributo su Rivista
• Lucia, U.; Fino, D.; Grisolia, G. (2022)
  A thermoeconomic indicator for the sustainable development with social considerations: A thermoeconomy for sustainable society. In: ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY, vol. 24, pp. 2022-2036. ISSN 1387-585X
  Contributo su Rivista
• Lucia, U.; Fino, D.; Wensel, P.; Grisolia, G. (2022)
  THERMODYNAMIC APPROACH TO MODELING BIOFUELS PRODUCTION FROM MICROALGAE AND CYANOBACTERIA: THE ROLE OF ELECTROCHEMICAL POTENTIAL. In: ATTI DELLA ACCADEMIA PELORITANA DEI PERICOLANTI, CLASSE DI SCIENZE FISICHE, MATEMATICHE E NATURALI, vol. 100, pp. 1-18. ISSN 1825-1242
  Contributo su Rivista
• Borchiellini, R.; Grisolia, G.; Lucia, U. (2022)
  Esercizi di Termodinamica Applicata. Milano, Springer-Verlag, P. 175. ISBN: 978-88-470-4015-1
  Libro
• Bergandi, Loredana; Lucia, Umberto; Grisolia, Giulia; Salaroglio, Iris Chiara; Gesmundo, ... (2022)
  Thermomagnetic Resonance Effect of the Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field on Three-Dimensional Cancer Models. In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, vol. 23. ISSN 1422-0067
  Contributo su Rivista
• Grisolia, G.; Fino, D.; Lucia, U. (2022)
  Biomethanation of Rice Straw: A Sustainable Perspective for the Valorisation of a Field Residue in the Energy Sector. In: SUSTAINABILITY, vol. 14, pp. 1-22. ISSN 2071-1050
  Contributo su Rivista
• Lucia, U.; Grisolia, G. (2022)
  Thermodynamic Definition of Time: Considerations on the EPR Paradox. In: MATHEMATICS, vol. 10. ISSN 2227-7390
  Contributo su Rivista
• Açikkalp, Emin; Altuntas, Onder; Caliskan, Hakan; Grisolia, Giulia; Lucia, Umberto; ... (2022)
  Sustainability analyses of photovoltaic electrolysis and magnetic heat engine coupled novel system used for hydrogen production and electricity generation. In: SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND ASSESSMENTS, vol. 52. ISSN 2213-1388
  Contributo su Rivista
• Grisolia, G.; Lucia, U. (2022)
  Thermo-fluid dynamic resonance in cancer cells. In: JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONFERENCE SERIES, vol. 2177, pp. 1-9. ISSN 1742-6588
  Contributo su Rivista
• Grisolia, G.; Lucia, U. (2022)
  Why does thermomagnetic resonance affect cancer growth? A non-equilibrium thermophysical approach. In: JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY, vol. 147, pp. 5525-5531. ISSN 1388-6150
  Contributo su Rivista
• Lucia, U.; Grisolia, G. (2022)
  Thermal resonance in living cells to control their heat exchange: Possible applications in cancer treatment. In: INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS IN HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER, vol. 131, pp. 1-4. ISSN 0735-1933
  Contributo su Rivista
• Grisolia, Giulia; Fino, Debora; Lucia, Umberto (2022)
  The education index in the context of sustainability: Thermo-economic considerations. In: FRONTIERS IN PHYSICS, vol. 10, pp. 01-11. ISSN 2296-424X
  Contributo su Rivista
• Grisolia, Giulia; Lucia, Umberto; Torchio, MARCO FILIPPO (2022)
  Sustainable Development and Workers Ability: Considerations on the Education Index in the Human Development Index. In: SUSTAINABILITY, vol. 14. ISSN 2071-1050
  Contributo su Rivista

• Plantare per la stimolazione neuro-riabilitativa motoria. national Patent
  Inventors: Maurizio Bressan Giulia Grisolia Umberto Lucia Emilio Paolucci
• Rieducazione visiva per telemedicina. national and international Patent
  Inventors: Marco Actis Grande Giulia Grisolia Umberto Lucia Bartolomeo Montrucchio Emilio Paolucci
• Magnetic application in cancer research and therapeutic aid (magnacarta). national and international Patent
  Inventors: Romano Borchiellini Maurizio Bressan Francesco Gregoretti Umberto Lucia Bartolomeo Montrucchio Emilio Paolucci