Read a new article about the work of one of the HiLASE Industrial Laser Application teams in a new issue of A / Magazine, a publication about the projects of institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences and research news. The magazine is published quarterly in Czech, while the annual English edition, such as this one, gathers the best articles from these issues. Editor Leona Matušková wrote about Laser Micromachining (LMM) and its team leader Petr Hauschwitz, describing several of its revolutionary applications.
In the very beginning, the article introduces one such innovative Laser Micromachining uses in the biomedical field:
“Catheters are essential for patient care, drug delivery, and drainage of bodily fluids, but prolonged use can lead to dangerous infections, with life-threatening bacteria appearing on their surface. That’s why researchers are exploring ways to modify or improve the materials used in such medical devices, often drawing inspiration from nature. Surprisingly, light – specifically, lasers – plays a key role.”
The HiLASE LMM team gets their inspiration for creating hydrophobic, hydrophilic or antibacterial surfaces mainly in nature. They mimic shark or snake skin, lotus leaves, and even the wings of insects. Thanks to our cutting-edge laser technology, they are able to do so faster and more efficiently than any other institution, confirmed by their two world records. The article explains how it’s possible: using diffractive beam splitting, interference structuring, and dynamic beam shaping.
Aside from laser micromachining, A / Magazine also describes the career of Petr Hauschwitz – from getting inspired by his grandfather who taught physics and mathematics, to receiving prestigious prizes such as the Otto Wichterle Award or the Werner von Siemens Award.
“Laser micromachining has proven to be valuable in medicine, industry, and space. Czech researchers are determined to be trailblazers in this field. When asked about his goals for the coming years, Hauschwitz doesn’t hesitate. “When anyone in the world asks about the best micromachining labs, I want ours to be at least among the top five contenders.”
Photography source: Jana Plavec, Czech Academy of Sciences
