Digital Technologies for Sustainable Manufacturing

Digital Technologies for Sustainable Manufacturing provides a practical framework for promoting sustainability in manufacturing by combining Life Cycle Engineering with the 5S principles (Social, Sustainable, Sensing, Smart, and Safe). This book introduces ten core digital technologies—including AI, simulation tools, IoT, digital twins, additive manufacturing, CAD tools, blockchain, cloud computing, AR/VR, and robotics and automation—as vital drivers for fostering innovation and resilience across materials, products, processes, manufacturing systems, and supply chains. Each chapter blends theory with real-world case studies and shows how competitive intelligence helps stakeholders anticipate trends and make strategic decisions. This comprehensive book prepares engineers, scientists, and leaders to create a more sustainable, efficient, and future-ready manufacturing ecosystem.

Dr. Arturo Molina holds a PhD in Manufacturing Engineering from Loughborough University, a University Doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Technical University of Budapest, and MSc and BSc degrees in Computer Science from Tecnológico de Monterrey. Arturo is a member of various prestigious scientific academies and working groups, such as the National Researchers System of Mexico (SNI-Nivel III). He has authored 20 books, over 150 scientific papers, and holds 5 patents and 3 patent solicitations. Additionally, he has founded 3 technology-based companies, including IECOS, Albiomar, and SMES, which provide innovative solutions for manufacturing enterprise systems.

Dr. Juana Isabel Méndez is an architect and an engineer in electronic design with a Master's in Energy Management and a laureate PhD in Engineering Sciences from Tecnológico de Monterrey, with a doctoral stay at UC Berkeley, who received the best thesis award at TecScience Summit 2023. She is a COMEXUS Fulbright Scholar. Isabel is the 2024 Premio Mujer Tec awardee under the category of Environment. Her research focuses on building energy simulations, thermal comfort, tailored dynamic interfaces, personalized gamification strategies, AI-based decision systems, and parametric architecture applied to the energy savings field. Isabel has around 50 scientific publications and has presented at national and international conferences and a patent application.

Dr. Dora Iliana Medina earned her Bachelor´s degree in Chemical Engineering from the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico City, graduating summa cum laude. She then moved to Riverside, CA, to pursue an MSc in Chemical and Environmental Engineering which she completed at the University of California. Afterwards, Dr. Medina relocated to Cambridge, UK, to pursue her PhD degree and received her PhD in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology from the University of Cambridge. For her outstanding work, Dr. Medina was highly commended in the Sellafield Ltd Award for Engineering Excellence (IChemE awards) and was invited as a Keynote speaker at the Annual Meeting of the Polymer Processing Society. Subsequently, she was selected as a UNESCO-L’ORÉAL “For Women in Science” International Fellow at MIT.

Dr. Fernando Gómez-Zaldívar holds a PhD in Public Policy from Tecnológico de Monterrey. He is a professor at the School of Government and Public Transformation at Tecnológico de Monterrey, a researcher at the Regional Development Lab, and a member of Mexico’s National System of Researchers (SNI). His research focuses on the use of economic complexity principles and tools to design development policies tailored to each region. As a consultant, he has worked with governments, businesses, and international institutions, including the IDB and the World Bank, on designing productive development strategies in Mexico and Latin America.

Dr. Alex Elías-Zúñiga has published more than 165 articles in International Journals (JCR) and 120 papers in International Conferences and Proceedings—inventor of six patents granted in Mexico and one in the USA. Dr. Elías has led several scientific-technology developments with global companies such as Vitro, Cemex, Prolec GE, Honeywell Aerospace, Safran Aerospace, Whirlpool, and Siemens, to name a few, with deliverables that exceed TRL6 level. He is a member of the National Research System of Mexico (SNI-Level III) and the Mexican Academy of Sciences. Co-founder and CTO of ZOA 4U—Technology-based Company (www.zoa4U.com). Currently, he is leading the Accelerated Materials Discovery Research Unit at the Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing and is also a professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Advanced Materials Department.

Dr. Pedro Ponce from Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, is an expert in automation, control systems, manufacturing systems, and electric drives, with a Master’s and PhD in Electrical Engineering. He has over 14 years of industrial experience as a field and design engineer and has worked with robotics, power electronics, advanced manufacturing systems, and intelligent systems. Since 2002, Pedro has been a professor at Tecnológico de Monterrey, where he served as Director of the Graduate Program in Science in Engineering from 2006 to 2014. Now, he is a leader researcher in enabling technology at the Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing in Mexico City. He also has over 15 years of experience advising international industries. His academic contributions include 19 books, 19 patents, and more than 200 research papers. He enjoys reading, basketball, swimming, and traveling in his free time.

Dr. Rita Q. Fuentes-Aguilar is a researcher at Tecnológico de Monterrey and leader of the Enabling Technologies Unit at the Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing. Her work focuses on biomedical engineering, medical device design, and artificial intelligence. She graduated with honors in Biomedical Engineering from IPN and holds a master's and PhD in Automatic Control from CINVESTAV. She is a member of Mexico’s National System of Researchers and a distinguished professor at Guadalajara campus. She leads the Advanced Cyber-Physical Systems Lab, with projects supported by national and international sponsors. In 2023, she was named among Forbes’ “100 Most Powerful Women in Mexico” and received two Diseña México awards for innovation in medical technology. Dr. Fuentes has multiple patents, and a technology transfer, and has given over 20 talks promoting STEAM women's education.

Dr. Alejandro Montesinos-Castellanos holds a PhD and a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Iztapalapa and a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Orizaba. Dr. Montesinos has distinguished himself with over 46 published articles and six national and international patents. His experience includes national and international collaborations with institutions such as the National Polytechnic Institute and the University of California at Berkeley, the Delhi Institute of Technology, the Southwest Research Institute, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is an expert in inorganic materials, specializing in their synthesis and characterization for various applications, from catalysts to CO₂ absorbers, covering topics from fundamental research to industrial applications.