Scientists from Dresden have established a self-cleaning metallic surface. A project in collaboration with researchers from the Technische Universität Dresden and the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS constructed a laser-processed aluminum plate.
The plate was carefully engineered in a way that it could remove dirt particles as water droplets can roll at its surface. Without additional physical effort or the use of chemicals, the researchers believe that their development could be used in several industrial branches.
For many years now, scientists at TU Dresden and Fraunhofer IWS have been working on creating functionalized surfaces through laser-based manufacturing processes. Finally, they have created a periodic surface structure that quickly removes dirt by allowing water droplets to roll. Additionally, their new development also proves to be water and ice repellent.
According to Stephan Milles, a Ph.D. student at Technische Universität Dresden, the aluminum plate could be used in aircraft construction, the automotive sector, and even in the food industry. However, he adds that the food sector is usually critical in bringing chemicals not to contaminate the food.
In the study, the Dresden scientists focused on the function of self-cleaning laser-designed aluminum. The researchers captured the mechanism of their creation through a special camera. They filmed the process at 12,500 frames per second and were able to study the effect of the aluminum surfaces.
Thomas Kuntze, a scientific analyst in the Microtechnology Technology Field at Fraunhofer IWS, explains that using the aluminum plate is also advisable for grasping other processes, such as welding, laser cutting, or additive manufacturing.
Background Check on Aluminum
Aluminum was discovered back in 1825 by Hans Oersted, a Danish physicist, and chemist who discovered that electric currents were responsible for creating magnetic fields. Furthermore, aluminum got its name from the Latin word "alumen" which meant bitter salt.
Auminum is widely used in manufacturing various products, including foils, cans, kitchen utensils, window frames, and airplane parts. Aluminum contains low-density particles, is non-toxic, and has a high thermal conductivity.
Furthermore, it has excellent corrosion resistance and can be easily molded, machined, and formed. Another property of aluminum is that it is also non-magnetic and non-sparking. It is the second most malleable metal and the sixth most ductile.
Aluminum is an excellent electrical conductor and is often used in electrical transmission lines. It is more affordable than copper, and weight for weight is almost twice as good a conductor. When evaporated in a space, aluminum forms a reflective coating for both light and heat. It does not degrade as a silver coating would.
About the Center for Advanced Micro Photonics (CAMP)
The operation of the "Center for Advanced Micro Photonics" (CAMP) is done in close cooperation with Fraunhofer IWS, the Chair of Large Area Laser Based Surface Structuring at TU Dresden. Professor Andrés Fabián Lasagni says that they are working on multiple exciting projects aiming to produce large-area fine-structured structures on metals, polymers, and ceramics in the shortest possible time.
Scientists are developing further technology known as "Direct Laser Interference Patterning," which suggests exceptional properties in comparison to classical laser-based approaches. Models of such developments are seen in the "SHARK" and "LAMPAS" projects financed by the European Union.
In the said projects, scientists design laser origins and intelligent structuring approaches to provide sufficient surface functionalization solutions. Different areas of application include home appliance industries, automotive, and the food sector.
