Un team di ricerca tedesco csviluppa tecniche di microlavorazione laser a femtosecondi e tecniche di funzionalizzazione delle superfici per applicazioni ingegneristiche, mediche e marine. Un know-how speciale è disponibile per la progettazione e la valutazione di texture superficiali per sviluppare superfici di scorrimento con minore usura e attrito. Il team è interessato in particolare a individuare opportunità di partecipazione a progetti di ricerca.
The research group at university, located in North Eastern Germany, provides expertise in developing superhydrophobic/hydrophilic, anti-reflective, anti-icing, anti-fouling, anti-adhesive, and self-cleaning surfaces. Functionalized surfaces offer altered surface topography (roughness), crystallography, and chemistry affecting biological response (anti-bacterial surfaces, tailoring cell adhesion, etc.), corrosion, and electrical properties. Furthermore, femtosecond laser micromachining can perform high precision, high quality, and burr-free cutting, drilling, and engraving processes on solid materials. The team has know-how in realization of tailored topographic/morphological, chemical, and crystallographic surface properties, e.g. for biomimetic surfaces. Using laser scanning strategies, a wide range of laser-inscribed and self-organized nano- and microstructures (including hierarchical) structures can be formed on solid materials. Since 2015, the team has been developing customized surface designs for tribological applications using tribological analysis methods (e.g. Ball-on-Disk, Ring-on-Disk, Pin-on-Disk ) and self-developed setups in order to evaluate the performance of textured surfaces. Furthermore, comprehensive setups like wetting analyses, optical evaluations like confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), particle size measurement systems) are available. The suitability of the surface texturing has been studied up to long-term running. In order to transfer know how om EU level the resarch team is looking for partners from mechanical engineering or health sector to build up a consortium and to apply for European funding (Horizon Europe, Eurostars, M.Era-net are possible). The department's sustainability strategy is in line with the United Nations Global Goals and in particular with the protection of reducing CO2 emissions through friction-reducing surface texturing.
Laser surface texturing can improve the overall tribological behavior of contact partners. Friction can especially be reduced in the boundary and in the mixed lubrication regime compared to unstructured surfaces. Long-term running tests show that the service life of sliding surfaces can be increased significantly related to conventional shaped surfaces. Firstly, laser-inscribed microstructures can change the wetting properties of a surface due to complex chemical and topographic modifications. Secondly, the topographic modification enables the surface to act as a particle trap in dry or boundary lubrication and minimizes third-body wear. Thirdly, applying a surface texture reduces the contact area, resulting in less surface roughness interaction and reducing stiction in boundary or mixed lubrication. Furthermore, laser-inscribed trenches provide a secondary source for lubrication in the boundary or mixed regime. Finally, microstructures can offer an additional hydrodynamic lift.
Needs to develop laser surface texturing to industrial processes
The department is searching for research institutions and companies to transfer laser surface texturing to industrial processes founded by EU projects. If desired, 3D-processing of complex parts should be developed by the partners.
Technological fields
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Surface treatment (painting; galvano; polishing; CVD; ..)
INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING; MATERIAL AND TRANSPORT / Industrial Manufacture
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Mechanical Technology related to measurements
MEASUREMENTS AND STANDARDS / Measurement Tools
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Micromachining; nanomachining
INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING; MATERIAL AND TRANSPORT / Industrial Manufacture
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Erosion; Removal (spark erosion; flame cutting; laser; ..)
INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING; MATERIAL AND TRANSPORT / Industrial Manufacture
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Machining (turning; drilling; moulding; planing; cutting)
INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING; MATERIAL AND TRANSPORT / Industrial Manufacture
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Apparatus Engineering
OTHER INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES