Abstract
Considering the attractive surface functionalities of springtails (Collembola), an attempt at mimicking their cuticular topography on metals is proposed. An efficient single-step manufacturing process has been considered, involving laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) generated by near-infrared femtosecond laser pulses. By investigating the influence of number of pulses and pulse fluence, extraordinarily uniform triangular structures were fabricated on stainless steel and titanium alloy surfaces, resembling the primary comb-like surface structure of springtails. The laser-textured metallic surfaces exhibited hydrophobic properties and light scattering effects that were considered in this research as a potential in-line process monitoring solution. The possibilities to increase the processing throughput by employing high repetition rates in the MHz-range are also investigated.
Highlights
Nature offers numerous inspirations for the manufacturing of smart surfaces
The surface texturing in this research was designed for generating uniform submicron-scale Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS) over large areas
Uniform triangular LIPSS were produced within a processing window of 118 to 353 pulses at fluences from 71 to 144 mJ/cm2
Summary
Nature offers numerous inspirations for the manufacturing of smart surfaces. Springtails are good examples, as their cuticle dispose of complex topographies with superior omniphobic and anti-adhesive surface functionalities [1,2]. Laser micro manufacturing has reached a new milestone, enabling the controlled generation of highly regular Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS) on metals [4] and hexagonally-aligned submicron triangular features could be fabricated [5] Such surface structures resembles the hexagonal comb-like pattern (see Fig. 1) observed on the submicron level of half of evaluated springtail species [3]. The so-called low-spatial frequency LIPSS (LSFL) are a type of LIPSS that are usually quasi-periodic in the shape of wavy ripples, nanogratings or nanobubbles Their generation can be tailored depending on irradiated materials, laser wavelength, beam polarization, fluence and number of pulses [7]. Surface functionalities in term of wetting and light scattering, as well as its use as an in-line monitoring method, are discussed
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