Direct laser patterning of two-dimensional lateral transition metal disulfide-oxide-disulfide heterostructures for ultrasensitive sensors

Two-dimensional(2D)heterostructures based on the combination of transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDs)and transition metal oxides(TMOs)have aroused growing attention due to their integrated merits of both components and multiple functionalities.However,nondestructive approaches of constructing TMD-TMO heterostructures are still very limited.Here,we develop a novel type of lateral TMD-TMO heterostructure(NbS2-Nb2O5-NbS2)using a simple lithography-free,direct laser-patterning technique.The perfect contact of an ultrathin TMO channel(Nb2O5)with two metallic TMDs(NbS2)electrodes guarantee strong electrical signals in a two-terminal sensor.Distinct from sensing mechanisms in separate TMOs or TMDs,this sensor works based on the modulation of surface conduction of the ultrathin TMO(Nb2O5)channel through an adsorbed layer of water molecules.The sensor thus exhibits high selectivity and ultrahigh sensitivity for room-temperature detection of NH3(ΔR/R=80%at 50 ppm),superior to the reported NH3 sensors based on 2D materials,and a positive temperature coefficient of resistance as high as 15%–20%/℃.Bending-invariant performance and high reliability are also demonstrated in flexible versions of sensors.Our work provides a new strategy of lithography-free processing of novel TMD-TMO heterostructures towards high-performance sensors,showing great potential in the applications of future portable and wearable electronics.

Direct laser interference patterning of nonvolatile magnetic nanostructures in Fe60Al40 alloy via disorder‐induced ferromagnetism

Current magnetic memories are based on writing and reading out the domains with opposite orientation of the magnetization vector.Alternatively,information can be encoded in regions with a different value of the saturation magnetization.The latter approach can be realized in principle with chemical order-disorder transitions in intermetallic alloys.Here,we study such transformations in a thin-film(35 nm)Fe60Al40 alloy and demonstrate the formation of periodic magnetic nanostructures(PMNS)on its surface by direct laser interference patterning(DLIP).These PMNS are nonvolatile and detectable by magnetic force microscopy(MFM)at room temperature after DLIP with a single nanosecond pulse.We provide different arguments that the PMNS we observe originate from increasing magnetization in maxima of the interference pattern because of chemical disordering in the atomic lattice of the alloy at temperatures T higher than the critical temperature Tc for the order(B2)-disorder(A2)transition.Theoretically,our simulations of the temporal evolution of a partially ordered state at T>Tc reveal that the disordering rate is significant even below the melting threshold.Experimentally,we find that the PMNS are erasable with standard thermal annealing at T<Tc.

Prophylactic Pattern Scanning Laser Retinal Photocoagulation for Diabetic Retinopathy in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii Fatty Rats: Preliminary Experimental Results

Research Background and Purpose: The number of diabetic patients is rapidly increasing, making it crucial to find methods to prevent diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of blindness. We investigated the effects of prophylactic pattern scanning laser retinal photocoagulation on DR development in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats as a new prevention approach. Methods: Photocoagulation was applied to the right eyes of 8-week-old Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats, with the left eyes serving as untreated controls. Electroretinography at 9 and 39 weeks of age and pathological examinations, including immunohistochemistry for vascular endothelial growth factor and glial fibrillary acidic protein at 24 and 40 weeks of age, were performed on both eyes. Results: There were no significant differences in amplitude and prolongation of the OP waves between the right and left eyes in SDT fatty rats at 39 weeks of age. Similarly, no significant differences in pathology and immunohistochemistry were observed between the right and left eyes in SDT fatty rats at 24 and 40 weeks of age. Conclusion: Prophylactic pattern scanning retinal laser photocoagulation did not affect the development of diabetic retinopathy in SDT fatty rats.

Laser-assisted growth of hierarchically architectured 2D MoS2 crystals on metal substrate for potential energy applications

Recently, there has been substantial interest in the large-scale synthesis of hierarchically architectured transition metal dichalcogenides and designing electrodes for energy conversion and storage applications such as electrocatalysis, rechargeable batteries, and supercapacitors. Here we report a novel hybrid laser-assisted micro/nanopatterning and sulfurization method for rapid manufacturing of hierarchically architectured molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) layers directly on molybdenum sheets. This laser surface structuring not only provides the ability to design specific micro/nanostructured patterns but also significantly enhances the crystal growth kinetics. Micro and nanoscale characterization methods are employed to study the morphological, structural, and atomistic characteristics of the formed crystals at various laser processing and crystal growth conditions. To compare the performance characteristics of the laser-structured and unstructured samples, Li-ion battery cells are fabricated and their energy storage capacity is measured. The hierarchically architectured MoS2 crystals show higher performance with specific capacities of about 10 mAh cm-2, at a current rate of 0.1 mA cm-2. This rapid laser patterning and growth of 2D materials directly on conductive sheets may enable the future large-scale and roll-to-roll manufacturing of energy and sensing devices.

Ultrashort pulsed laser induced complex surface structures generated by tailoring the melt hydrodynamics

We present a novel approach for tailoring the laser induced surface topography upon femtosecond(fs)pulsed laser irradiation.The method employs spatially controlled double fs laser pulses to actively regulate the hydrodynamic microfluidic motion of the melted layer that gives rise to the structures formation.The pulse train used,in particular,consists of a previously unexplored spatiotemporal intensity combination including one pulse with Gaussian and another with periodically modulated intensity distribution created by Direct Laser Interference Patterning(DLIP).The interpulse delay is appropriately chosen to reveal the contribution of the microfluidic melt flow,while it is found that the sequence of the Gaussian and DLIP pulses remarkably influences the surface profile attained.Results also demonstrate that both the spatial intensity of the double pulse and the effective number of pulses per irradiation spot can further be modulated to control the formation of complex surface morphologies.The underlying physical processes behind the complex patterns’generation were interpreted in terms of a multiscale model combining electron excitation with melt hydrodynamics.We believe that this work can constitute a significant step forward towards producing laser induced surface structures on demand by tailoring the melt microfluidic phenomena.

Fabrication of 4-Inch Nano Patterned Wafer with High Uniformity by Laser Interference Lithography

We report the fabrication of 4-inch nano patterned wafer by two-beam laser interference lithography and analyze the uniformity in detail. The profile of the dots array with a period of 800 nm divided into five regions is characterized by a scanning electron microscope. The average size in each region ranges from 270 nm to 320 nm,and the deviation is almost 4%, which is approaching the applicable value of 3% in the industrial process. We simulate the two-beam laser interference lithography system with MATLAB software and then calculate the distribution of light intensity around the 4 inch area. The experimental data fit very well with the calculated results. Analysis of the experimental data and calculated data indicates that laser beam quality and space filter play important roles in achieving a periodical nanoscale pattern with high uniformity and large area. There is the potential to obtain more practical applications.

Mid-term results of patterned laser trabeculoplasty for uncontrolled ocular hypertension and primary open angle glaucoma

AIM:To describe the safety and efficacy of patterned laser trabeculoplasty(PLT)as an adjunctive treatment in primary open angle glaucoma(POAG)and ocular hypertension(OHT)after 18-month follow-up in Hispanic population.METHODS:A single-center,retrospective study was conducted.All patients with OHT or POAG undergoing PLT from June 2016 to August 2016 were included in the study.Investigated parameters were intraocular pressure(IOP),the number of IOP-lowering medications,best corrected visual acuity(BCVA),laser parameters and postoperative adverse events.Primary efficacy outcome measures were the proportion of eyes achieving an IOP reduction≥20%at 18 mo versus baseline medicated IOP or a reduction in the number of medications while maintaining IOP values.RESULTS:From 40 PLT-treated eyes(mean baseline IOP 20.3±1.7 mm Hg),24 patients were analyzed(age 63.4±7.3 y).The mean IOP reductions from baseline across visits(months 1,3,6,9,12,and 18)ranged from 14.1%to 20.8%.Success rate after 18-month follow-up was 61.7%with a mean IOP of 16±3.2 mm Hg(P<0.001).The number of glaucoma IOP-lowering medications per eye(preoperative 2.1±1.1 and postoperative 2.3±1.1,P=0.86)and the mean BCVA(preoperative 0.10±0.22 and postoperative 0.11±0.22 logMAR,P=0.42)remained stable.Adverse events comprised transitory IOP spikes in 4 eyes(10%)and peripheral anterior synechiae in 7 eyes(17.5%).CONCLUSION:Mid-term results of PLT show that this procedure may be an efficacious and safe technique to approach medically uncontrolled OHT or POAG patients.

Numerical Investigation of Laser Surface Hardening of AISI 4340 Using 3D FEM Model for Thermal Analysis of Different Laser Scanning Patterns

Laser surface hardening is becoming one of the most successful heat treatment processes for improving wear and fatigue properties of steel parts. In this process, the heating system parameters and the material properties have important effects on the achieved hardened surface characteristics. The control of these variables using predictive modeling strategies leads to the desired surface properties without following the fastidious trial and error method. However, when the dimensions of the surface to be treated are larger than the cross section of the laser beam, various laser scanning patterns can be used. Due to their effects on the hardened surface properties, the attributes of the selected scanning patterns become significant variables in the process. This paper presents numerical and experimental investigations of four scanning patterns for laser surface hardening of AISI 4340 steel. The investigations are based on exhaustive modelling and simulation efforts carried out using a 3D finite element thermal analysis and structured experimental study according to Taguchi method. The temperature distribution and the hardness profile attributes are used to evaluate the effects of heating parameters and patterns design parameters on the hardened surface characteristics. This is very useful for integrating the scanning patterns’ features in an efficient predictive modeling approach. A structured experimental design combined to improved statistical analysis tools is used to assess the 3D model performance. The experiments are performed on a 3 kW Nd:Yag laser system. The modeling results exhibit a great agreement between the predicted and measured values for the hardened surface characteristics. The model evaluation reveals also its ability to provide not only accurate and robust predictions of the temperature distribution and the hardness profile as well an in-depth analysis of the effects of the process parameters.

Efficient fully laser-patterned flexible perovskite modules and solar cells based on low-temperature solution-processed SnO2/mesoporous-TiO2 electron transport layers

Efficient flexible perovskite solar cells and modules were developed using a combination of SnO2 and mesoporous-TiO2 as a fully solution-processed electron transport layer （ETL）. Cells using such ETLs delivered a maximum power conversion efficiency （PCE） of 14.8%, which was 30% higher than the PCE of cells with only SnO2 as the ETL. The presence of a mesoporous TiO2 scaffold layer over SnO2 led to higher rectification ratios, lower series resistances, and higher shunt resistances. The cells were also evaluated under 200 and 400 lx artificial indoor illumination and found to deliver maximum power densities of 9.77 μW/cm^2 （estimated PCE of 12.8%） and 19.2 μW/cm^2 （estimated PCE of 13.3%）, respectively, representing the highest values among flexible photovoltaic technologies reported so far. Furthermore, for the first time, a fully laser-patterned flexible perovskite module was fabricated using a complete three-step laser scribing procedure （P1, P2, P3） with a PCE of 8.8% over an active area of 12 cm^2 under an illumination of 1 sun.

Does laser surface texturing really have a negative impact on the fatigue lifetime of mechanical components?

Laser surface texturing(LST)has been proven to improve the tribological performance of machine elements.The micro-scale patterns manufactured by LST may act as lubricant reservoirs,thus supplying oil when encountering insufficient lubrication.However,not many studies have investigated the use of LST in the boundary lubrication regime,likely due to concerns of higher contact stresses that can occur with the increasing surface roughness.This study aims to examine the influence of LST on the fatigue lifetime of thrust rolling bearings under boundary lubrication.A series of periodic patterns were produced on the thrust rolling bearings,using two geometrically different designs,namely cross and dimple patterns.Base oil ISO VG 100 mixed with 0.05 wt%P of zinc dialkyldithiophosphate(ZDDP)was supplied.The bearings with cross patterns reduce the wear loss by two orders of magnitude.The patterns not only retain lubricant in the textured pockets but also enhance the formation of an anti-wear tribofilm.The tribofilm generation may be improved by the higher contact stresses that occur when using the textured surface.Therefore,in contrast to the negative concerns,the ball bearings with cross patterns were instead found to increase the fatigue life by a factor of three.

Influence of structural depth of laser-patterned steel surfaces on the solid lubricity of carbon nanoparticle coatings

Carbon nanoparticle coatings on laser-patterned stainless-steel surfaces present a solid lubrication system where the pattern's recessions act as lubricant-retaining reservoirs.This study investigates the influence of the structural depth of line patterns coated with multi-walled carbon nanotubes(CNTs)and carbon onions(COs)on their respective potential to reduce friction and wear.Direct laser interference patterning(DLIP)with a pulse duration of 12 ps is used to create line patterns with three different structural depths at a periodicity of 3.5μm on AISI 304 steel platelets.Subsequently,electrophoretic deposition(EPD)is applied to form homogeneous carbon nanoparticle coatings on the patterned platelets.Tribological ball-on-disc experiments are conducted on the as-described surfaces with an alumina counter body at a load of 100 mN.The results show that the shallower the coated structure,the lower its coefficient of friction(COF),regardless of the particle type.Thereby,with a minimum of just below 0.20,CNTs reach lower COF values than COs over most of the testing period.The resulting wear tracks are characterized by scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy,and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.During friction testing,the CNTs remain in contact,and the immediate proximity,whereas the CO coating is largely removed.Regardless of structural depth,no oxidation occurs on CNT-coated surfaces,whereas minor oxidation is detected on CO-coated wear tracks.

Formation of TiN Grid on NiTi by Laser Gas Nitriding for Improving Wear Resistance in Hanks' Solution

Laser gas nitriding （LGN） is a common surface modification method to enhance the wear resistance of titanium （Ti） alloys, which are known to have poor tribological properties. In the present study, a titanium nitride （TIN） grid network was fabricated on the surface of nickel titanium （NiTi） by LGN. The laser processing parameters were selected to achieve nitriding without surface melting and hence to＇maintain a smooth surface finish. The characteristics of the grid-nitrided samples were investigated by scanningelectron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, optical microscopy, 2-D profilometry, contact angle measurements and nanoindentation. The wear resistance of the nitrided samples was evaluated using reciprocating wear test against ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene （UHMWPE） in Hanks＇ solution. The results indicate that the wear rates of the grid-nitrided samples and the UHMWPE counter-body in the wear pair are both significantly reduced. The decrease in wear rates can be attributed to the combination of a hard TiN grid and a soft NiTi substrate. In Hanks＇ solution, the higher hydrophilicity of the nitrided samples also contributes to the better performance in wear test against hydrophobic UHMWPE.

Laser direct writing pattern structures on AgInSbTe phase change thin film

Different pattern structures are obtained on the AglnSbTe （AIST） phase change film as induced by laser beam. Atomic force microscopy （AFM） was used to observe and analyze the different pattern structures. The AFM photos clearly show the gradually changing process of pattern structures induced by different threshold effects, such as crystallization threshold, microbump threshold, melting threshold, and ablation threshold. The analysis indicates that the AIST material is very effective in the fabrication of pattern structures and can offer relevant guidance for application of the material in the future.

Effect of metal surface morphology on nano-structured patterns induced by a femtosecond laser pulse and its experimental verification

The effect of material surface morphology on the periodic subwavelength of nano-structures induced by a femtosecond（fs） laser was investigated systematically from the initial surface roughness, the different scratches, the pre-formed ripples, and the ＂layer-carving＂ technology experiments. The results of the comparative experiments indicate that the initial surface conditions of the target surface have no obvious effects on the spatial structured periods（SSPs） and the ripple orientation of the periodic nano-structures induced by a fs laser, which agreed well with the foretold present surface two-plasmon resonance（STPR） model. Furthermore, different shapes of nanogrids with high regularity and uniformity were obtained by fs-laser fabrication.

Substrate topography affects PC12 cell differentiation through mechanotransduction mechanisms

Neural stem cells in vivo receive information from biochemical and biophysical cues of their microenvironment that affect their survival,proliferation and differentiation toward specific lineages.Recapitulation of these conditions in vitro is better achieved in 3D cell cultures.Especially the cells that grow in scaffold-dependent 3D cultures establish more complex cell-cell and cell-material interactions enabling the study of the various signaling pathways.The biochemical signaling from growth factors and hormones has been extensively studied over the years.More recently cumulative evidence demonstrates that cell sensing and response to mechanical stimuli is mediated through mechanotransduction pathways.Although individual signaling pathways activated by biochemical or mechanical cues in cells are well-studied,synergistic or antagonistic effects among them need further research to be fully understood.The understanding of the alteration of the cell behavior due to a microenvironmental cues would be greatly enhanced by the study of key elements that lie in the convergence of biochemical and mechanical pathways.Here we analyzed the effect of the substrate topography on the nerve growth factor(NGF)induced differentiation of PC12 cells.Our results showed that the topography interferes with NGF-induced neuronal differentiation and this is reflected in the reduced activation of the integrin-mediated mechanotransduction.