"Three-dimensional laser engraver for micro-structuring of materials, surface patterning, micro-machining and rapid prototyping"

“用于材料微结构、表面图案、微加工和快速原型制作的三维激光雕刻机”

• 批准号: 422320-2012
• 负责人: Barthelat, Francois
• 金额: $ 6.73万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2011-01-01 至 2012-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=495770
• 关键词: Three; dimensional; laser; engraver; micro

We propose the purchase of a three-dimensional laser engraver to support several research projects at McGill University. This equipment is used to generate well defined two- or three-dimensional patterns of micro-size defects within a transparent material (typically a crystal, but amorphous glass or polymers can also be engraved). The defects are generated by focusing a laser within the material, so that the high amount of energy at that point generates a void at that point (in some cases accompanied with local micro-cracks). There is no limit to the complexity of the pattern that can be generated (a computer is used to operate the engraver, and thousands of dots can be generated within seconds). This type of system is common to generate two- and three dimensional images for purely aesthetics purposes. Here we will, for the first time, use this technique to fabricate new engineering materials and devices. 3D laser engraving will enable new micro-structured materials, surfaces and systems which are simply not possible to fabricate by other techniques. For example, laser engraving will be used to generate bio-inspired microstructures consisting of weaker planes into brittle materials, in order to guide and control the propagation of cracks and to increase the toughness and reliability of brittle materials like glass. 3D laser engraving will also be used to generate surface roughness and functionalities such as biomimetic hydrophobicity or drug delivery. It will also enable unique photonic devices, and facilitate architectural and engineering design. The integration of the requested equipment in a research laboratory for the processing of engineering materials is unique in Canada and to the best of our knowledge in the world. The scientific and technological impact of the research made possible by this equipment will therefore be significant. The equipment is initially requested to support the work of more than 30 graduate students and post-docs, but this number of is expected to rise significantly once the equipment is available, because of the high versatility of the laser engraving technique.

我们建议购买一台三维激光雕刻机，以支持麦吉尔大学的几个研究项目。该设备用于在透明材料（通常是晶体，但也可以雕刻无定形玻璃或聚合物）内生成定义良好的二维或三维微尺寸缺陷图案。这些缺陷是通过将激光聚焦在材料内而产生的，因此在该点处的大量能量在该点处产生空隙（在某些情况下伴随着局部微裂纹）。可以生成的图案的复杂性没有限制（使用计算机操作雕刻机，可以在几秒钟内生成数千个点）。这种类型的系统通常用于产生纯粹出于美学目的的二维和三维图像。在这里，我们将首次使用这种技术来制造新的工程材料和设备。3D激光雕刻将使新的微结构材料、表面和系统成为可能，而这是其他技术根本无法制造的。例如，激光雕刻将用于在脆性材料中生成由较弱平面组成的仿生微结构，以引导和控制裂纹的传播，并提高玻璃等脆性材料的韧性和可靠性。3D激光雕刻也将用于产生表面粗糙度和功能，如仿生疏水性或药物输送。它还将实现独特的光子设备，并促进建筑和工程设计。将所需设备集成到研究实验室中以处理工程材料在加拿大是独一无二的，并且据我们所知在世界上是独一无二的。因此，这一设备所带来的科学和技术影响将是巨大的。该设备最初被要求支持30多名研究生和博士后的工作，但由于激光雕刻技术的高度通用性，一旦设备可用，这一数字预计将大幅上升。