Bio-Inspired Functional Surfaces Based on Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures

Abstract

Nature developed numerous solutions to solve various technical problems related to material surfaces by combining the physico-chemical properties of a material with periodically aligned micro/nanostructures in a sophisticated manner. The utilization of ultra-short pulsed lasers allows mimicking numerous of these features by generating laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS). In this review paper, we describe the physical background of LIPSS generation as well as the physical principles of surface related phenomena like wettability, reflectivity, and friction. Then we introduce several biological examples including e.g., lotus leafs, springtails, dessert beetles, moth eyes, butterfly wings, weevils, sharks, pangolins, and snakes to illustrate how nature solves technical problems, and we give a comprehensive overview of recent achievements related to the utilization of LIPSS to generate superhydrophobic, anti-reflective, colored, and drag resistant surfaces. Finally, we conclude with some future developments and perspectives related to forthcoming applications of LIPSS-based surfaces.

Transition from superhydrophilic to superhydrophobic state of laser textured stainless steel surface and its effect on corrosion resistance

“…Recently, intensive research efforts have been devoted to synthesize lotus-like, superhydrophobic, surfaces with water contact angle in excess of 150° and sliding angle below 5° [1] [2]. Such functionalized surfaces possess several unique beneficial properties, i.e.…”

Femtosecond laser-induced microstructures on Ti substrates for reduced cell adhesion

“…If laser scan processing with Gaussian beams is employed for structuring of large surface areas, the latter micrometer-sized spike structures are usually covered by the sub-micrometric LIPSS structures, resulting in hierarchical surface morphologies. The latter surfaces are often strongly hydrophobic, featuring the well-known water repellent Lotus effect [17]. The amount of different self-ordered surface structures renders various ways of particular surface functionalization possible-as demonstrated in applications for surface colorization [18], the reduction of friction and wear [19], the control of cell or biofilm growths [20,21], or the promotion of protein adsorption [22].…”

Methodology of laser processing for precise control of surface micro-topology

“…These ripple patterns arise from interference between the incident radiation and surface electromagnetic waves, and are highly dependent on polarisation [14]. These small scale and highly uniform patterns mirror textures seen in nature (e.g.…”