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

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，但非晶态玻璃或聚合物也可以雕刻）中生成定义良好的二维或三维微尺寸缺陷图案。这些缺陷是通过聚焦材料内部的激光产生的，因此在该点上的大量能量在该点上产生空洞（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生成纯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，而这些是其他技术根本无法制造的。例如，激光雕刻将用于生成由较弱平面组成的生物微结构，以引导和控制裂纹的传播，并增加脆性材料（如玻璃）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器件，并促进建筑和工程设计。在工程材料加工的研究实验室中集成所需的设备在加拿大是独一无二的，也是我们在世界上所知最多的。因此，这种设备使研究可能产生的科学和技术影响将是重大的。该设备最初用于支持30多名研究生和博士后的工作，但由于激光雕刻技术的高通用性，一旦设备可用，这一数字预计将大幅增加。

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.