Project Description

In recent years, lasers have found numerous applications in the field of biomedical engineering such as cell labelling and tracking, in-vivo imaging, ablative surgeries, biosensing, etc. This project aims at surface modification of biomedical implants using ultrafast laser texturing. Titanium alloys are preferentially used in orthodontic and orthopaedic implants due to its osseo-inductive and osseo-conductive properties as well as its high strength to weight ratio. We propose to modify the wettability of the titanium alloy via laser texturing [1]. Therefore, the control of adhesion and proliferation of human cells and bacterial species over textured surface can be achieved. The pristine and laser textured surface of implants should be further investigated in terms of protein adhesion, biofilm formation, and cytotoxicity tests. The fatigue test of pristine and laser textured substrate will evaluate the effect of micro-/nano-textures on life of a biomedical implants. This project proposes to explore the science of cellular adhesion over laser induced micro- and nano-structures. We further aim to investigate the process of creation of nano-structures via ultrafast laser-material interaction by molecular dynamics simulation. 

Start Date

April 15, 2020

Postdoc Qualifications 

We are looking for a highly motivated researcher having Ph.D. in the field of laser – material interaction. The applicant should have demonstrated required expertise in ultrafast laser processing, laser texturing and required characterization techniques.

Co-advisors 

Yung C. Shin
shin@purdue.edu
School of Mechanical Engineering

Jenna Rickus
rickus@purdue.edu
Agricultural & Biological Engineering & School of Biomedical Engineering

References 

S. Sarbada, Y.C. Shin, Superhydrophobic contoured surfaces created on metal and polymer using a femtosecond laser, Appl. Surf. Sci. 405 (2017) 465–475.

X. Zhao, Y.C. Shin, Ablation enhancement of silicon by ultrashort double-pulse laser ablation, Appl. Phys. Lett. 105 (2014) 111907.

X. Zhao, Y. Cao, Q. Nian, G. Chang, Y.C. Shin, Control of ablation depth and surface structures in P3 scribing of Thin-film solar cells by a picosecond laser, J. Micro Nano-Manuf. 2 (2014) 031007.