TY - CONF A1 - Voss, Heike T1 - ReguΛarity - A free software for the objective quantification of the regularity of periodic surface structures generated by femtosecond laser irradiation N2 - The precise laser-based surface structuring on the micro- and nanoscale allows to create functional properties for innovative applications, e.g., in medicine, optics and biology. Among the various types of surface structures, laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) are characterized by their versatility and the relatively simple manufacturing process. However, the fabrication of highly regular LIPSS patterns remains challenging. The systematic investigation of LIPSS formation, as well as of the resulting functional properties requires a precise evaluation of the surface morphology, especially with regard to periodicity and regularity. Existing quantification methods such as Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) tend to lack automation and objectivity, especially when dealing with large data sets and multi-scale structures. Although automated approaches exist with the Gini coefficient and the P³S method, their limited availability restricts a broader scientific use. We therefore introduce ReguΛarity as an innovative open-source software solution for objective, rapid and reproducible evaluation of structured surfaces concerning their regularity. In order to provide comprehensive surface morphological analysis, our software uses advanced image-processing techniques and integrates the already developed tools such as P³S method, Gini coefficient, FFT analysis, and the calculation of DLOA (Dispersion of LIPSS Orientation Angle). The software allows to evaluate any relevant image format as provided, e.g., by standard scanning electron micrographs. An intuitive PyQt5-based interface, enhanced by multi-threading capabilities, facilitates efficient data processing. Interactive features such as region-of-interest selection and plotting provide flexible adaptation to diverse applications. ReguΛarity offers a robust analysis tool that will contribute to the further development of precise laser-based surface structuring and to the optimization of the desired functional properties in both research and industry. T2 - 13th International Conference on Photoexcited Processes and Applications, ICPEPA-13 CY - Lecce, Italy DA - 14.09.2025 KW - Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) KW - Laser processing KW - Fourier transformation KW - Regularity PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64176 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Voss, Heike T1 - Morphology and regularity of high-spatial frequency laser-induced periodic surface structures (HSFL) on titanium materials N2 - Titanium and its alloys are known to enable the straightforward laser‐based manufacturing of ordered surface nanostructures, so‐called high-spatial frequency laser‐induced periodic surface structures (HSFL). These structures exhibit sub‐100 nm spatial periods – far below the optical diffraction limit. The resulting surface functionalities are usually enabled by both, topographic and chemical alterations of the nanostructured surfaces. For exploring these effects, HSFL were processed on different titanium materials (bulk, film) upon irradiation with near‐infrared ps‐laser pulses (1030 nm wavelength, ≈1 ps pulse duration) under different laser scan processing conditions in normal air atmosphere. Here, we extend our previous work on chemical analyses of HSFL on titanium materials towards a more detailed large-area morphological and topographical surface characterization. For this purpose, scanning electron or atomic force microscopic images are subjected to a regularity analysis using our ReguΛarity software. The results are assessed with respect to the influences of sample- or laser-related parameters on the regularity of the HSFL. T2 - 13th International Conference on Photoexcited Processes and Applications, ICPEPA-13 CY - Lecce, Italy DA - 14.09.2025 KW - Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) KW - Laser processing KW - Ulltrashort laser pulses KW - Titanium PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64173 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Sediqi, Salmin T1 - Multi-principal element alloy nanoparticle (MPEA-NP) electrocatalysts prepared by pulsed laser ablation for electroreduction of CO2 N2 - Multi-principal element alloy (MPEA) nanoparticle electrocatalysts have the potential to provide a cost-effective and efficient alternative to noble metal electrocatalysts. The chemically complex nature and the high configurational entropy of MPEAs offer advantages in tailoring catalytic activity, product selectivity, and improved stability under harsh reaction conditions. Cu-containing bimetallic catalyst systems have already been demonstrated to lead to a significant increase in catalytic efficiency compared to monometallic systems. Thus, this project aims at the design of Cu-containing MPEAs and nanoparticle electrocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction reaction. In this project, base alloys were prepared by means of arc melting with subsequent homogenization treatments and processed by pulsed laser ablation in water and organic solvents into high-purity nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Electrochemical testing was performed both on bulk alloy samples and nanoparticle film coated glassy carbon electrodes by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Nanoparticle coated electrodes have been investigated by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM) to assure a homogeneous distribution on the electrode surface. The presentation will summarize our initial results on the electrocatalytic activity of Cu-MPEA system for carbon dioxide reduction. T2 - OPERANDO SPM 2023 CY - Berlin DA - 15.11.2023 KW - Chemically Complex Materials KW - CCMat KW - Electrocatalysis PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-59402 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Sediqi, Salmin T1 - Multi-principal element alloy nanoparticle (MPEA-NP) electrocatalysts prepared by pulsed laser ablation for electroreduction of CO2 N2 - The motivation and overall objective of the project are to develop electrocatalysts that are free of noble metals (e.g., Pt or Au) and are instead based on medium and high entropy alloys (MEA\HEA) of transition metals for the electrochemical reduction of CO2. The MEA\HEA are multi principal element alloys (MPEAs) consisting of more than three elements with almost equal alloying proportions, forming solid solutions without intermetallic phases. In such a crystal structure, the individual elements are well mixed, and each atom has different nearest neighbours. In catalysis, especially in selectivity, it is precisely this atomic chaos that matters. Due to the large number of possible combinations of elements, these materials offer excellent conditions to tune their functional properties for specific applications. Especially, catalyst systems in which Cu is combined with another metallic component show a significant increase in catalytic efficiency compared to monometallic systems. Since the catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability of electrocatalysts strongly depend on the size and surface, systematic studies on the influence of the organic stabilizers on heterogeneous catalysis are also of interest. The focus of this project is to design Cu-based MEA\HEA electrocatalysts on the atomic level. For this purpose, base alloys will be prepared, processed into high-purity nanoparticles by pulsed laser ablation, and tested as electrocatalysts. T2 - Tag der Chemie 2023 CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 05.07.2023 KW - Chemically Complex Materials KW - CCMat KW - Electrocatalysis PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-59403 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Sediqi, Salbin T1 - Synthesis and characterization of multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs) for electrocatalysis applications N2 - The aim of this project is the development of novel, noble metal-free electrocatalysts that do not rely on critical minerals. We focus on multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs), especially combinations involving Cu, to significantly enhance the efficiency of the CO2 reduction reaction. Generally, MPEAs consist of more than three elements, forming solid solutions without intermetallic phases. The unique disordered random structure introduces synergetic effects that play a critical role in electrocatalysis, particularly in terms of selectivity. The neraly-endless combinations of elements that can be incorporated in MPEAs offer ample opportunities to tailor its functionality for various applications. This study presents the development of thin films based on NiZnCu MPEAs for the CO2 reduction reaction. The one-step electrodeposition of NiZnCu films was performed on Cu substrates in a single bath using a Hull cell under constant current or potential. The influence of pH, additives and current density or potential on the composition and microstructure of the films was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study the topography and surface roughness of the NiZnCu films. The results indicate that the addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and citrate enhances the uniformity and adhesion of the thin films. Electrochemical measurements, including cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy were conducted to study the electrocatalytic activity and the corrosion resistance of NiZnCu thin films. The NiZnCu gradient films deposited in the Hull cell enable high-throughput screening of the electrocatalytic activity. With this approach, multiple compositions showing high activity, selectivity and stability were identified. Further analysis with in line / at line product analysis was performed using a rotating disc electrode setup coupled to gas chromotography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromotography (HPLC). The presentation will summarize the results of our screening study with few deep-dives in selected compositions showing superior performance. T2 - eMRS 2024 Spring Meeting CY - Strasbourg, France DA - 27.05.2024 KW - CCMat KW - Energy conversion KW - Electrocatalysis PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-62633 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Richter, Anja T1 - Bacterial adhesion on ultrashort laser processed surfaces N2 - Bacterial biofilms are multicellular communities adhering to surfaces and embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix. Due to physiological adaptations and the protective biofilm matrix itself, biofilm cells show enhanced resistance towards antimicrobial treatment. In medical and industrial settings, biofilms on e.g. for implants or for surfaces in food-processing industry can be a fertile source of bacterial pathogens and are repeatedly associated with persisting, nosocomial and foodborne infections. As extensive usage of antibiotics and biocides can lead to the emergence of resistances, various strategies are currently developed, tested and improved to realize anti-bacterial surface properties through surface functionalization steps avoiding antibiotics. In this study, contact-less and aseptic large-area ultrashort laser scan processing is employed to generate different surface structures in the nanometer- to micrometer-scale on technical materials, i.e. titanium-alloy, steel, and polymer. The processed surfaces were characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy and subjected to bacterial colonization studies with Escherichia coli test strains. For each material, biofilm results of the fs-laser treated surfaces are compared to that obtained on polished (non-irradiated) surfaces as a reference. Depending on the investigated surfaces, different bacterial adhesion patterns were found, suggesting an influence of geometrical size, shape and cell appendages of the bacteria and – above all – the laser-processed nanostructure of the surface itself. T2 - European Materials Research Society Spring Meeting 2021 CY - Online Meeting DA - 31.05.2021 KW - Bacterial adhesion KW - Biofilm formation KW - Ultrashort laser processing KW - Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) PY - 2021 UR - https://www.european-mrs.com/laser-material-processing-fundamental-interactions-innovative-applications-emrs AN - OPUS4-52765 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Mezera, Marek T1 - Bacterial adhesion on femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structures N2 - Biofilm formation in industrial or medical settings is usually unwanted and leads to serious health problems and high costs. Inhibition of initial bacterial adhesion prevents biofilm formation and is, therefore, a major mechanism of antimicrobial action of surfaces. Surface topography largely influences the interaction between bacteria and surfaces which makes topography an ideal base for antifouling strategies and eco-friendly alternatives to chemical surface modifications. Femtosecond laser-processing was used to fabricate sub-micrometric surface structures on silicon and stainless steel for the development of antifouling topographies on technical materials. T2 - Future Tech Week 2020 CY - Online meeting DA - 21.09.2020 KW - Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) KW - Bacterial adhesion KW - Biofilm growth KW - Structural color KW - Femtosecond laser processing PY - 2020 UR - http://futuretechweek.fetfx.eu/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/2-5432af7ecff9e0243d7383ab3f931ed3/2020/09/BioCombs4Nanofibers_Poster-for-Future_Tech_Week_2020_08-09-2020_with_Reprint-permission_for_upload.pdf AN - OPUS4-51233 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Mezera, Marek T1 - Influence of the pulse repetition rate on the chemical and morphological properties of laser generated surface structures N2 - Inter-pulse accumulation of heat could affect the chemical and morphological properties of the laser processed material surface. Hence, the laser pulse repetition rate may restrict the processing parameters for specific laser-induced surface structures. In this study, the evolution of various types of laser-induced micro- and nanostructures at various laser fluence levels, effective number of pulses and at different pulse repetition rates (1 – 400 kHz) are studied for common metals/alloys (e.g. steel or titanium alloy) irradiated by near-infrared ultrashort laser pulses (925 fs, 1030 nm) in air environment. The processed surfaces were characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy (OM, SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) as well as time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). The results show that not only the surface morphology could change at different laser pulse repetition rates and comparable laser fluence levels and effective number of pulses, but also the surface chemistry is altered. Consequences for medical applications are outlined. T2 - European Materials Research Society Spring 2021 Meeting CY - Online meeting DA - 31.05.2021 KW - Laser-induced pariodic surface structures KW - LIPSS PY - 2021 AN - OPUS4-52778 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Gräf, S. T1 - Ion marker implantation as key to understand the formation of femtosecond LIPSS on steel N2 - Ultrashort laser (fs-laser) pulses can be used to generate laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS, ripples) on different types of materials. A variety of potential applications of these grating-like LIPSS have already been demonstrated in the field of surface functionalization. Examples include structural colours (e.g. for optical effects or safety features), beneficial friction and wear reduction, modification of the wetting behaviour of surfaces, and antibacterial or cell adhesion promoting properties for medical implants. Despite decades of research, however, some aspects regarding the formation mechanism are still unclear and the subject of controversial debate. This involves the two main models of coherent electromagnetic scattering and matter reorganization, which are used for explaining aspects of LIPSS formation and phenomenology. One major issue is to quantify the actual amount of material removal during the fs-laser processing due to the lack of an independent depth reference and to visualize the so-called heat-affected zone accompanying intense fs-laser irradiation. In the present study, near-surface implantation of Mn and N ions into different material depth of Mn-free austenitic stainless steel alloy FeCrNiMo18-12-2 was used to create reference layers of a defined thickness containing the respective elements. LIPSS (type low-spatial frequency LIPSS, LSFL) were fabricated on the polished substrate surfaces in an air environment by fs-laser irradiation (λ = 1025 nm, τ = 300 fs, frep = 100 kHz, F = 1.5 J/cm2). The implanted layers subsequently served as a kind of coordinate system to assess the material removal during the formation process via cross-sectional Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDXS). Using both analysis methods enabled in particular to determine the position of peaks and valleys of the LIPSS topography in relation to the initial surface before fs-laser irradiation. This confirmed the selective ablation in the LIPSS valleys. Moreover, linking changes in the material’s microstructure, e.g., the crystallinity and near surface elemental composition before and after fs-laser treatment, gave additional insights regarding the transient cooling rates, as recently shown for NiTi alloys. T2 - 13th International LIPSS Workshop CY - Enschede, Netherlands DA - 29.10.2015 KW - Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) KW - Ion implantation KW - Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) KW - Steel KW - Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64900 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Gräf, S. T1 - Ion marker implantation for tracing the formation of femtosecond LIPSS on steel N2 - An ion marker experiment is conducted to investigate the formation of low spatial frequency laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) on stainless steel surfaces upon scan-processing with femtosecond laser pulses (300 fs, 1025 nm, 100 kHz) focussed to a spot diameter of ~20 µm. Defined concentration depth profiles of 14N^+- and 55Mn^+-ions were implanted below the polished surface of a cast Mn- and Si-free stainless steel AISI 316L using an acceleration energy of 380 keV. This generated two distinct “depth-tracer-layers” ~135 nm (55Mn) and ~340 nm (14N) below the sample surface. The sample morphology and microstructure were evaluated before and after LIPSS-processing using scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques in top-view and cross-sectional geometry. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) allowed to visualize the depth distribution of the marker elements, the steel constituents, and of oxygen involved through the laser processing in ambient air. These experiments revealed that the LIPSS on this metal are predominantly formed by material removal through locally varying ablation and, to a lesser extent, by local melt displacement effects prior to the re-solidification. Moreover, the processing in air leads to the formation of a less than 10 nm thick laser-induced oxide layer covering the steel surface. Our new tracer ion approach contributes to the ongoing debate on the relevance of electromagnetic or hydrodynamic effects during the formation of LIPSS. T2 - E-MRS Spring Meeting 2025 CY - Strasbourg, France DA - 26.05.2026 KW - Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) KW - Steel KW - Ion implantation KW - Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) KW - Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63274 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -