G.R.B.E. Römer

Laser-Induced Nanoscale Superhydrophobic Structures on Metal Surfaces

The combination of a dual-scale (nano and micro) roughness with an inherent low-surface energy coating material is an essential factor for the development of superhydrophobic surfaces. Ultrashort pulse laser (USPL) machining/structuring is a promising technique for obtaining the dual-scale roughness. Sheets of stainless steel (AISI 304 L SS) and Ti-6Al-4V alloys were laser-machined with ultraviolet laser pulses of 6.7 ps, with different numbers of pulses per irradiated area. The surface energy of the laser-machined samples was reduced via application of a layer of perfluorinated octyltrichlorosilane (FOTS). The influence of the number of pulses per irradiated area on the geometry of the nanostructure and the wetting properties of the laser-machined structures has been studied. The results show that with an increasing number of pulses per irradiated area, the nanoscale structures tend to become predominantly microscale. The top surface of the microscale structures is seen covered with nanoscale protrusions that are most pronounced in Ti-6Al-4V. The laser-machined Ti-6Al-4V surface attained superhydrophobicity, and the improvement in the contact angle was >27% when compared to that of a nontextured surface.

Leidenfrost Point Reduction on Micropatterned Metallic Surfaces

Droplets are able to levitate when deposited over a hot surface exceeding a critical temperature. This is known as the Leidenfrost effect. This phenomenon occurs when the surface is heated above the so-called Leidenfrost point (LFP), above which the vapor film between the droplet and hot surface is able to levitate the droplet. Such a critical temperature depends on several factors. One of the most studied parameters has been the surface roughness. Almost all of the experimental studies in the literature have concluded that the LFP increases with the roughness. According to these results, it seems that the roughness is detrimental for the stability of the vapor film. In contrast with these results, we present here a micropatterned surface that significantly reduces the LFP. The temperature increase, relative to the boiling point, required to reach the LFP is 70% lower than that on the flat surface. The reasons for such an effect are qualitatively and quantitatively discussed with a simple semiempirical model. This result can be relevant to save energy in applications that take advantage of the Leidenfrost effect for drop control or drag reduction.

Capillary droplets on Leidenfrost micro-ratchets

Leidenfrost ratchets are structures with the ability of transporting liquid droplets when heated over the critical Leidenfrost temperature. Once this temperature is reached, the droplet levitates over the surface and moves in the direction marked by the slope of the ratchet at terminal velocities around 10 cm/s. Here we provide new experiments with micron-sized ratchets, which have been produced with picosecond pulse laser ablation. In the following work, we use a simple method to measure the thrust driving droplets of capillary size over the micro-ratchets. The mechanism responsible for the force acting on the drop on superheated ratchets has been recently under debate. We extend the recently proposed “viscous mechanism” proposed by Dupeux et al. [Europhys. Lett. 96, 58001 (2011)10.1209/0295-5075/96/58001] to capillary droplets and find good agreement with our measurements.

Ultra-short-pulsed laser-machined nanogratings of laser-induced periodic surface structures on thin molybdenum layers

Abstract. Large areas of regular diffraction nanogratings were produced consisting of so-called laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) on thin molybdenum layers (<400u2009u2009nm) deposited on a borosilicate glass substrate. The aim was to produce these structures without ablating nor cracking the molybdenum layer. Ultra short laser pulses were applied using a focused Gaussian beam profile. Processing parameters such as laser fluence, pulse overlap, number of overscans, repetition frequency, wavelength and polarization were varied to study the effect on periodicity, height, and especially regularity of the obtained LIPSS. It was found that a careful choice of the correct laser parameters is required to avoid detrimental mechanical stresses, cracking, and delamination during the laser processing of the layer in order to remain in its correct range of ductility as well as to ensure regular LIPSS. A possible photovoltaic application of these nanogratings could be found in texturing of thin film cells to enhance light trapping mechanisms.

Printing Functional 3D Microdevices by Laser-Induced Forward Transfer

Slender, out-of-plane metal microdevices are made in a new spatial domain, by using laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) of metals. Here, a thermocouple with a thickness of 10 µm and a height of 250 µm, consisting of platinum and gold pillars is demonstrated. Multimaterial LIFT enables manufacturing in the micrometer to millimeter range, i.e., between lithography and other 3D printing technologies.

Micro-fabricated scaffolds lead to efficient remission of diabetes in mice

Despite the clinical success of intrahepatic islet transplantation in treating type 1 diabetes, factors specific to this transplantation site hinder long-term insulin independence. The adoption of alternative, extravascular sites likely improve islet survival and function, but few locations are able to sufficiently confine islets in order to facilitate engraftment. This work describes a porous microwell scaffold with a well-defined pore size and spacing designed to guarantee islet retention at an extrahepatic transplantation site and facilitate islet revascularization. Three techniques to introduce pores were characterized: particulate leaching; solvent casting on pillared wafers; and laser drilling. Our criteria of a maximum pore diameter of 40xa0μm were best achieved via laser drilling. Transplantation studies in the epididymal fat of diabetic mice elucidated the potential of this porous scaffold platform to restore blood glucose levels and facilitate islet engraftment. Six out of eight mice reverted to stable normoglycemia with a mean time to remission of 6.2xa0±xa03.2 days, which was comparable to that of the gold standard of renal subcapsular islet grafts. In contrast, when islets were transplanted in the epididymal fat pad without a microwell scaffold, only two out of seven mice reverted to stable normoglycemia. Detailed histological evaluation four weeks after transplantation found a comparable vascular density in scaffold-seeded islets, renal subcapsular islets and native pancreatic islets. However, the vascularization pattern in scaffold-seeded islets was more inhomogeneous compared to native pancreatic islets with a higher vascular density in the outer shell of the islets compared to the inner core. We also observed a corresponding decrease in the beta-cell density in the islet core. Despite this, our data indicated that islets transplanted in the microwell scaffold platform were able to maintain a viable beta-cell population and restore glycemic control. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the microwell scaffold platform facilitated detailed analysis at a subcellular level to correlate design parameters with functional physiological observations.

Laser surface micro-/nano-structuring by a simple transportable micro-sphere lens array

A micro-sphere array optic was employed for laser surface micro-structuring. This array optic consists of a hexagonally close-packed monolayer of silica micro-spheres. It was organized through a self-assembly process and held together on a glass support, without using any adhesives. The array assembly was then reversed, placed in direct contact with the substrate and exposed to 515u2009nm, 6.7 ps laser pulses. During the exposure, the silica spheres act as micro-lenses, which enhance the near-field light intensity underneath them. As the spheres are confined in the space between the substrate and glass support, they are not ejected during laser machining. Using this type of direct write laser machining, a large number of identical features (nano-holes) can be produced in parallel simultaneously. The holes drilled are a few hundred nanometres in diameter and the depth depends on the number of laser pulses applied. The impact of laser machining on the micro-spheres was also studied. The micro-spheres were contaminated or partially damaged after micro-structuring. Combination of a moderate laser pulse energy and multiple shots was found to ensure a good surface structuring quality and minimum damage to the spherical particles

Mold-Based Application of Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS) on Biomaterials for Nanoscale Patterning.

Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) are highly regular, but at the same time contain a certain level of disorder. The application of LIPSS is a promising method to functionalize biomaterials. However, the absorption of laser energy of most polymer biomaterials is insufficient for the direct application of LIPSS. Here, we report the application of LIPSS to relevant biomaterials using a two-step approach. First, LIPSS are fabricated on a stainless steel surface. Then, the structures are replicated onto biomaterials using the steel as a mold. Results show that LIPSS can be transferred successfully using this approach, and that human mesenchymal stromal cells respond to the transferred structures. With this approach, the range of biomaterials that can be supplied with LIPSS increases dramatically.

Optical and electrical properties of SnO2 thin films after ultra-short pulsed laser annealing

Ultra-short pulsed laser sources, with pulse durations in the ps and fs regime, are commonly exploited for cold ablation. However, operating ultra-short pulsed laser sources at fluence levels well below the ablation threshold allows for fast and selective thermal processing. The latter is especially advantageous for the processing of thin films. A precise control of the heat affected zone, as small as tens of nanometers, depending on the material and laser conditions, can be achieved. It enables the treatment of the upper section of thin films with negligible effects on the bulk of the film and no thermal damage of sensitive substrates below. By applying picosecond laser pulses, the optical and electrical properties of 900 nm thick SnO2 films, grown by an industrial CVD process on borofloat®-glass, were modified. The treated films showed a higher transmittance of light in the visible and near infra-red range, as well as a slightly increased electrical sheet resistance. Changes in optical properties are attributed to thermal annealing, as well as to the occurrence of Laser- Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSSs) superimposed on the surface of the SnO2 film. The small increase of electrical resistance is attributed to the generation of laser induced defects introduced during the fast heating-quenching cycle of the film. These results can be used to further improve the performance of SnO2-based electrodes for solar cells and/or electronic devices.

Thin film surface processing by UltraShort Laser Pulses (USLP)

In this work, we studied the feasibility of surface texturing of thin molybdenum layers on a borosilicate glass substrate with Ultra-Short Laser Pulses (USLP). Large areas of regular diffraction gratings were produced consisting of Laserinduced periodic surface structures (LIPSS). A short pulsed laser source (230 fs-10 ps) was applied using a focused Gaussian beam profile (15-30 μm). Laser parameters such as fluence, overlap (OL) and Overscans (OS), repetition frequency (100-200 kHz), wavelength (1030 nm, 515 nm and 343 nm) and polarization were varied to study the effect on periodicity, height and especially regularity of LIPSS obtained in layers of different thicknesses (150-400 nm). The aim was to produce these structures without cracking the metal layer and with as little ablation as possible. It was found that USLP are suitable to reach high power densities at the surface of the thin layers, avoiding mechanical stresses, cracking and delamination. A possible photovoltaic (PV) application could be found in texturing of thin film cells to enhance light trapping mechanisms.