Block copolymer self-assembly assisted fabrication of laterally organized- and stacked- nanoarrays

Block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly processes are often seen as reliable techniques for advanced nanopatterning to achieve functional surfaces and create templates for nanofabrication. By taking advantage of the tunability in pitch, diameter and feature-to-feature separation of the self-assembled BCP features, complex, laterally organized- and stacked- multicomponent nanoarrays comprising of gold and polymer have been fabricated. The approaches not only demonstrate nanopatterning of up to two levels of hierarchy but also investigate how a variation in the feature-to-feature gap at the first hierarchy affects the self-assembly of polymer features at the second. Such BCP self-assembly enabled multicomponent nanoarray configurations are rarely achieved by other nanofabrication approaches and are particularly promising for pushing the boundaries of block copolymer lithography and in creating unique surface architectures and complex morphologies at the nanoscale.

LIPSS-based functional surfaces produced by multi-beam nanostructuring with 2601 beams and real-time thermal processes measurement

A unique combination of the ultrashort high-energy pulsed laser system with exceptional beam quality and a novel Diffractive Optical Element (DOE) enables simultaneous production of 2601 spots organized in the square-shaped 1 × 1 mm matrix in less than 0.01 ms. By adjusting the laser and processing parameters each spot can contain Laser Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS, ripples), including high-spatial frequency LIPSS (HFSL) and low-spatial frequency LIPSS (LSFL). DOE placed before galvanometric scanner allows easy integration and stitching of the pattern over larger areas. In addition, the LIPSS formation was monitored for the first time using fast infrared radiometry for verification of real-time quality control possibilities. During the LIPSS fabrication, solidification plateaus were observed after each laser pulse, which enables process control by monitoring heat accumulation or plateau length using a new signal derivation approach. Analysis of solidification plateaus after each laser pulse enabled dynamic calibration of the measurement. Heat accumulation temperatures from 200 to 1000 °C were observed from measurement and compared to the theoretical model. The temperature measurements revealed interesting changes in the physics of the laser ablation process. Moreover, the highest throughput on the area of 40 × 40 mm reached 1910 cm2/min, which is the highest demonstrated throughput of LIPSS nanostructuring, to the best of our knowledge. Thus, showing great potential for the efficient production of LIPSS-based functional surfaces which can be used to improve surface mechanical, biological or optical properties.

On the reduction of hydraulic resistance based on the hydrophobization of functional surfaces

Analysis of various studies has shown that one of the most promising ways to reduce hydraulic resistance in pipelines during transportation of liquid fluid is a method based on changing the wettability of functional surfaces, i.e. hydrophobization. This paper presents the results of experimental studies of the effect of hydrophobization of pipe surfaces on hydraulic losses. For this purpose, experimental tube samples of steel (20Kh13) were made, on the surface of which a spiral relief was formed using laser equipment, resulting in a hydrophobic state, and the value of the contact angle was 160.7°. From the analysis of the results of experimental studies, the dependence of hydraulic resistance on Reynolds number was obtained, from which it follows that the use of hydrophobic surfaces during water transportation helps to reduce the hydraulic resistance to 9.7%.

Hartwalzen zur Festigkeitssteigerung wälzbelasteter Funktionsflächen

The service life of functional surfaces subjected to rolling loads is limited by fatigue or insuffi cient separation of the rolling partners in the event of inadequate lubrication. These failure mechanisms can be counteracted by hard rolling and thus the introduction of residual compres sive stresses into the border zone, which can, among other things, extend maintenance intervals of production or power generation plants.