Laser can be used to precisely and locally modify the properties of superconductors. Their crystal structure and charge distribution can be altered by applying focused energy, thus affecting their microstructure and electrical properties. This technique enables the design and development of new materials with enhanced performance for various applications. This paper focuses on the effect of laser irradiation on the thermal, structural, and electrical properties of the Bi1.9Sb0.1Ba1.9Y0.1Ca2Cu3O10+δ superconducting compound. Samples were exposed to heat for 48 h at 900 °C at a heating rate of 10 °C/min. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies were performed and the diffraction results showed that all samples had a regular orthorhombic crystalline structure and that the lattice constants (a, b, c) changed with irradiation compared to the unirradiated sample. A significant increase in the c/a axis, lattice size high-temperature phase (HTP) was also observed after irradiation. The content of the high-temperature phase increased to 81.47 %. The topographical nature of the samples was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and a change in the formation of nanosized grains was found in the samples. Using an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) device, elemental analysis was performed to detect the presence of different elements and determine their proportions in each sample. The critical temperature was also determined. The results showed that when the sample was exposed to radiation, the highest critical temperature was 114 K.
Improving the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance or replacing OER with the value-added conversion of biomass is of great significance for the green hydrogen energy production. In this work, bimetallic species-decorated laser-induced graphene (LIG) was fabricated and demonstrated as the self-supported electrodes towards efficient OER and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation reaction (HMFOR). Three-dimensional LIG was obtained via one-step irradiation process under ambient conditions, and active metal species were then introduced through electrodeposition, with Ni-based catalyst as the primary catalytic material and Fe and Co as modified metals. Among, LIG-NiFe electrode achieved an extremely low overpotential of 241.7 mV at a current density of 20 mA/cm2 for OER and demonstrated long-term stability. This could be attributed to the promoted formation of Ni3+ active centers by Fe modified and the intrinsic porous structure of LIG providing an enhanced surface area. As for LIG-NiCo, due to the low onset potential of Co for HMF, it could achieve 99.6% HMF conversion and yielded value-added 2, 5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) with a selectivity of 87.1%. Coupled with the merit of facile fabrication of LIG framework, this study demonstrates that LIG-based electrodes assume great practical application value in electrocatalytic reactions.
Nasopharyngeal stenosis (NPS) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening condition in cats, capable of causing complete upper airway obstruction in severe cases. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser staphylectomy provides precise tissue ablation with minimal collateral thermal injury; however, restenosis could occur when used as a sole treatment modality. Balloon dilation can temporarily restore luminal patency, yet recurrence rates remain high when performed alone. This report describes an 8-month-old Korean Shorthair cat with complete nasopharyngeal stenosis that underwent CO₂ laser ablation as an initial intervention, followed by rapid restenosis within three days. A second procedure combining CO₂ laser ablation with endoscopic balloon dilation achieved short-term maintenance of nasopharyngeal patency. These findings suggest that, in cases of complete stenosis with a high risk of recurrence, a multimodal approach may be more effective than single-modality treatment.
A flexible heater with high thermal efficiency and mechanical durability was developed by fabricating laser-induced porous graphene (LIPG) electrodes on polyimide films using a 532 nm green laser. Laser power, scan speed, and line distance were precisely optimized based on photothermal simulations to generate uniform porous graphene structures with large surface area and excellent heat dissipation characteristics. Raman, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses confirmed that the optimized LIPG exhibited highly graphitized features with low oxygen defects. Scanning electron microscope analysis revealed that porous morphologies formed only within a specific laser scan speed range, whereas excessive or insufficient irradiation resulted in collapsed or absent porosity. The serpentine-patterned LIPG heater maintained stable electrical resistance under repeated multidirectional bending, demonstrating excellent flexibility and mechanical stability. The heater also achieved rapid and uniform heating up to 80 °C within seconds, maintaining consistent temperature distribution even on curved surfaces.
Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has emerged as a promising carbon nanomaterial platform owing to its scalability and tunable surface properties. Although its electrical and structural characteristics have been widely explored, the precise modulation of the surface energy remains challenging, particularly in ultrathin configurations. In this study, we investigated the wetting behavior of an ultrathin LIG synthesized from a fluorinated polyimide (F-PI) thin-film precursor using ultraviolet (UV) laser irradiation. Systematic variations in laser exposure induced morphologic transitions from hierarchical porous networks to compact planar structures, accompanied by changes in the chemical composition, including fluorine depletion and oxygen incorporation. These combined effects result in a broad range of wetting behaviors, including superhydrophobicity and hydrophilicity. Remarkably, LIG produced under single irradiation exhibited a rose-petal-like wetting state characterized by a high contact angle and strong droplet adhesion, a phenomenon not previously reported in LIG systems. This work elucidates the interplay between laser-induced nanostructuring and surface chemistry in governing wetting behavior and establishes a controllable strategy for fabricating functional carbon surfaces for applications in microfluidics, selective adhesion, and water-repellent coating technologies.
Polypropylene waste significantly contributes to environmental pollution due to its low biodegradability. Numerous experiments have shown that laser irradiation of polymers can lead to the conversion of laser-induced graphene (LIG). In this paper, the LIG formation process in polypropylene (PP), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and polypropylene/polydimethylsiloxane (PP/PDMS) systems in a vacuum environment was simulated using molecular dynamics. The LIG yields and carbon network sizes of the systems in oxygen and vacuum environments at different temperatures were analyzed to determine the optimal temperature for upgrading PP to LIG. It was observed in all three systems that the LIG structure was formed. The structure was composed not only of six-membered carbon rings, but also of five-membered and seven-membered rings, resulting in out-of-plane fluctuations and bending. A vacuum environment and high temperature promote LIG formation with high yield, large size, and minimal defects. The current study provides theoretical guidance for optimizing the laser graphene process for PP assisted with PDMS in a vacuum environment and helps to understand the mechanism underlying the conversion from polyolefins to graphene under CO2 laser at the atomic level.
This study examined process–structure relationships in laser powder bed fusion of Al0.1CoCrFeNi + Cu composites, focusing on densification, elemental distribution, and solidification cracking. Mechanically mixed Al0.1CoCrFeNi and Cu powders were processed across a range of laser powers (100–250 W) and scan speeds (200–800 mm/s). Increased volumetric energy density (VED) improved densification, with a plateau near 200 J/mm3 yielding ~96% relative density; however, this value was still below application-grade thresholds. At low VED, insufficient thermal input and short melt pool residence times promoted Cu segregation, while higher VED facilitated improved elemental mixing. Elemental mapping showed partial co-segregation of Ni with Cu at low energies. Solidification cracks were observed across all processing conditions. In high VED regimes, cracking exhibited a minimal correlation with segregation behavior and was primarily attributed to steep thermal gradients, solidification shrinkage, and residual stress accumulation. In contrast, at low VED, pronounced Cu segregation appeared to exacerbate cracking through localized thermal and mechanical mismatch.
Ti-6Al-4V alloy is widely utilized in aerospace and medical sectors due to its high specific strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. However, its low machinability makes it difficult to manufacture complex-shaped products. Advancements in additive manufacturing have focused on producing high-performance, complex components using the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process, which is a specialized technique for customized geometries. The LPBF process exposes materials to extreme thermal conditions and rapid cooling rates, leading to residual stresses within the parts. These stresses are intensified by variations in the thermal history across regions of the component. These variations result in differences in microstructure and mechanical properties, causing distortion. Although support structure design has been researched to minimize residual stress, few studies have conducted quantitative analyses of stress variations due to different support designs. This study investigated changes in the residual stress and mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy fabricated using LPBF, focusing on support structure design.
In this study, the effect of build orientation on the mechanical properties of Hastelloy X fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process was investigated. Initial microstructural analysis revealed an equiaxed grain structure with random crystallographic orientation and annealing twins. Intragranular precipitates identified as Cr-rich M23C6 and Mo-rich M6C carbides were observed, along with a dense dislocation network and localized dislocation accumulation around the carbides. Mechanical testing showed negligible variation in yield strength with respect to build orientation; however, both ultimate tensile strength and elongation exhibited a clear increasing trend with higher build angles. Notably, the specimen built at 90° exhibited approximately 22% higher tensile strength and more than twice the elongation compared to the 0° specimen.
This study investigated the ultra-low-temperature (4.2 K) tensile properties and deformation mechanisms of stainless steel 304L manufactured via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). The tensile properties of LPBF 304L were compared to those of conventional 304L to assess its suitability for cryogenic applications. The results revealed that LPBF 304L exhibited a significantly higher yield strength but lower ultimate tensile strength and elongation than conventional 304L at 4.2 K. The temperature dependence of the yield strength also favored LPBF 304L. Microstructural analysis demonstrated that LPBF 304L features a high density of dislocation cells and nano-inclusions, contributing to its greater strength. Furthermore, strain-induced martensitic transformation was observed as a key deformation mechanism at cryogenic temperatures, where austenite transformed into both hexagonal-closed packed (HCP) and body-centered cubic (BCC) martensite. Notably, BCC martensite nucleation occurred within a single HCP band. These findings provide critical insights into the mechanical behavior of LPBF 304L at cryogenic temperatures and its potential for applications in extreme environments.
Metal additive manufacturing (AM) facilitates the production of complex geometries with enhanced functionality. Among various AM techniques, laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is distinguished by its precision and exceptional mechanical properties achieved via laser fusion deposition. Recent advancements in AM have focused on combining LPBF with post-processing methods such as cold rolling, high-pressure torsion, and forming processes. Therefore, understanding the forming behavior of LPBF-processed materials is essential for industrial adoption. This study investigates the stretch-flangeability of LPBF-fabricated 316L stainless steel, emphasizing its anisotropic microstructure and mechanical properties. Hole expansion tests were employed to assess stretch-flangeability in comparison to wrought 316L stainless steel. The results demonstrate that LPBF-processed samples exhibit significant anisotropic behavior, demonstrating the influence of microstructural evolution on formability. These findings contribute valuable insights into optimizing LPBF materials for industrial forming applications.
This study investigated the effect of the hatch spacing parameter on the microstructure and mechanical properties of SA508 Gr.3 steel manufactured by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) for a nuclear pressure vessel. Materials were prepared with varying hatch spacing (0.04 mm [H4] and 0.06 mm [H6]). The H4 exhibited finer and more uniformly distributed grains, while the H6 showed less porosity and a lower defect fraction. The yield strength of the H4 material was higher than that of the H6 material, but there was a smaller difference between the materials in tensile strength. The measured elongation was 5.65% for the H4 material and 10.41% for the H6 material, showing a significantly higher value for H6. An explanation for this is that although the H4 material had a microstructure of small and uniform grains, it contained larger and more numerous pore defects than the H6 material, facilitating stress concentration and the initiation of microcracks.
Magnesium alloys, among various non-ferrous metals, are utilized in diverse fields from the automotive industry to aerospace due to their light weight and excellent specific strength. In the previous Part I study, fiber laser BOP experiments were conducted to derive basic welding characteristics and appropriate bu竹 welding conditions. Subsequently, in the Part II experiment, butt welding was performed, and through tensile tests, hardness tests, and cross-sectional observations, it was found that at laser power of 2.0 kW and welding speed of 50 mm/s, 93% of the base metafs tensile strength and 63.4% of its elongation could be achieved. In this Part III experiment, the microstructures of the base metal and the center of the weld were observed in butt-welded specimens. Through this, laser power and welding speed, on the mechanical behavior and microstructure of magnesium alloys were analyzed
This study investigated the optimal process conditions and mechanical properties of Cu-10Sn alloys produced by the powder bed fusion (PBF) method. The optimal PBF conditions were explored by producing samples with various laser scanning speeds and laser power. It was found that under optimized conditions, samples with a density close to the theoretical density could be fabricated using PBF without any serious defects. The microstructure and mechanical properties of samples produced under optimized conditions were investigated and compared with a commercial alloy produced by the conventional method. The hardness, maximum tensile strength, and elongation of the samples were significantly higher than those of the commercially available cast alloy with the same chemical composition. Based on these results, it is expected to be possible to use the PBF technique to manufacture Cu-10Sn products with complex 3D shapes that could not be made using the conventional manufacturing method.
With the wide application of portable wearable devices, a variety of electronic energy storage devices, including microsupercapacitors (MSCs), have attracted wide attention. Laser-induced graphene (LIG) is widely used as electrode material for MSCs because of its large porosity and specific surface area. To further improve the performance of MSCs, it is an effective way to increase the specific surface area and the number of internal active sites of laser-induced graphene electrode materials. In this paper, N-doped polyimide/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as precursor was used to achieve in situ doping of nitrogen atoms in laser-induced graphene by laser irradiation. Through the addition of N atoms, nitrogen-doped laser-induced threedimensional porous graphene (N-LIG) exhibits large specific surface area, many active sites, and good wettability all of which are favorable conditions for enhancing the capacitive properties of laser-induced graphene. After assembly with PVA/H2SO4 as gel electrolyte, the high surface capacitance of the MSC device with N-LIG as electrode material is 16.57 mF cm− 2 at the scanning rate of 5 mV s− 1, which is much higher than the 2.89 mF cm− 2 of the MSC device with LIG as electrode material. In addition, MSC devices with N-LIG as electrode materials have shown excellent cyclic stability and flexibility in practical tests, so they have a high application prospect in the field of flexible wearable microelectronics.
세계적인 환경 규제로 인해 마그네슘 합금과 같은 경량 소재에 대한 수요가 증가하고 있으며, 마그네슘 합금 소재의 다양한 산업계 적용을 위한 용접 및 접합 방식에 대한 연구도 지속적으로 수행되고 있다. 앞선 Part I 연구에서는 마그네슘 합금에 대한 파이버 레이저 Bead on Plate(BOP) 실험을 수행하여 맞대기 용접 조건의 확보를 위한 기초 연구를 수행하였으며, 본 연구에서는 Part I의 기초 BOP 실험에서 도출된 적합한 레이저 출력과 용접 속도를 바탕으로 두께 3mm의 AZ31B 마그네슘 합금에 대해 맞대기 용접을 시행하였고, 인장시험 및 경도시험을 수행한 후 기계 물성 데이터를 분석하였다. 분석 결과 레이저 출력 2.0 kW, 50 mm/s (Heat input)의 조건에서 항복강도 151.5 MPa, 인장강도 224.1 Mpa으로 우수한 인장, 항복강도를 얻을 수 있었다.