Surface Activation of Calcium Zirconate-Calcium Stabilized Zirconia Eutectic Ceramics with Bioactive Wollastonite-Tricalcium Phosphate Coatings.

In this work, we have developed and characterized a ceramic composite based on a core of directionally solidified calcium zirconate-calcium stabilized zirconia (CZO-CSZ) eutectic composite coated with a bioactive glass-ceramic. The aim is to research new orthopedic implants as an alternative to conventional 3Y-TZP bioinert ceramics. The CZO-CSZ eutectic rods were grown from the melt of rods of CaO-ZrO in the eutectic composition using the laser floating zone technique (LFZ).

Direct Laser Interference Patterning of Diffraction Gratings in Safrofilcon-A Hydrogel: Fabrication and Hydration Assessment.

Refractive index modification by laser micro-structuration of diffractive optical devices in ophthalmic polymers has recently been applied for refractive correction in the fields of optics and ophthalmology. In this work, Safrofilcon-A hydrogel, used as soft contact lenses, was processed by direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) to fabricate linear periodic patterns on the surface of the samples. Periodic modulation of the surface was attained under two-beam interference by using a Q-switched laser source with emission at 263 nm and 4 ns pulse duration.

The Role of Thermal Accumulation on the Fabrication of Diffraction Gratings in Ophthalmic PHEMA by Ultrashort Laser Direct Writing.

The fabrication of diffraction gratings by ultrashort direct laser writing in poly-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate (PHEMA) polymers used as soft contact lenses is reported. Diffraction gratings were inscribed by focusing laser radiation 100 µm underneath the surface of the samples. Low- and high-repetition rate Ti:sapphire lasers with 120 fs pulsewidth working at 1 kHz and 80 MHz respectively were used to assess the role of thermal accumulation on microstructural and optical characteristics.

Vision with pulsed infrared light is mediated by nonlinear optical processes.

When the eye is exposed to pulsed infrared (IR) light, it is perceived as visible of the corresponding half wavelength. Previous studies have reported evidence that this is due to a non-linear two-photon absorption process. We have carried out a study which provides additional support to this nonlinear hypothesis.

High-Repetition-Rate Femtosecond Laser Processing of Acrylic Intra-Ocular Lenses.

The study of laser processing of acrylic intra-ocular lenses (IOL) by using femtosecond laser pulses delivered at high-repetition rate is presented in this work. An ultra-compact air-cooled femtosecond diode laser (HighQ2-SHG, Spectra-Physics) delivering 250 fs laser pulses at the fixed wavelength of 520 nm with a repetition rate of 63 MHz was used to process the samples. Laser inscription of linear periodic patterns on the surface and inside the acrylic substrates was studied as a function of the processing parameters as well as the optical absorption characteristics of the sample.

Laser Machining and In Vitro Assessment of Wollastonite-Tricalcium Phosphate Eutectic Glasses and Glass-Ceramics.

Bioactivity and ingrowth of ceramic implants is commonly enhanced by a suitable interconnected porous network. In this work, the laser machining of CaSiO₃‒Ca₃(PO₄)₂ biocompatible eutectic glass-ceramics and glasses was studied. For this purpose, 300 µm diameter craters were machined by using pulsed laser radiation at 532 nm with a pulsewidth in the nanosecond range.

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for Monitoring the Formation of Hydroxyapatite Porous Layers.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is applied to characterize the formation of porous hydroxyapatite layers on the surface of 0.8CaSiO₃-0.2Ca₃(PO₄)₂ biocompatible eutectic glass immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF).

Study of the Wavelength Dependence in Laser Ablation of Advanced Ceramics and Glass-Ceramic Materials in the Nanosecond Range.

In this work, geometrical dimensions and ablation yields as a function of the machining method and reference position were studied when advanced ceramics and glass-ceramic materials were machined with pulsed lasers in the nanosecond range. Two laser systems, emitting at 1064 and 532 nm, were used. It was shown that the features obtained depend on whether the substrate is processed by means of pulse bursts or by grooves.

Microstructural and Wear Behavior Characterization of Porous Layers Produced by Pulsed Laser Irradiation in Glass-Ceramics Substrates.

In this work, wear behavior and microstructural characterization of porous layers produced in glass-ceramic substrates by pulsed laser irradiation in the nanosecond range are studied under unidirectional sliding conditions against AISI316 and corundum counterbodies. Depending on the optical configuration of the laser beam and on the working parameters, the local temperature and pressure applied over the interaction zone can generate a porous glass-ceramic layer. Material transference from the ball to the porous glass-ceramic layer was observed in the wear tests carried out against the AISI316 ball counterface whereas, in the case of the corundum ball, the wear volume loss was concentrated in the porous layer.

Degradation of trichloroethylene in wetland microcosms containing broad-leaved cattail and eastern cottonwood.

Remediation of aquifers containing trichloroethylene (TCE) relies primarily on physical extraction of contaminated groundwater and soil. Unfortunately, this is typically expensive and does not always attain the desired treatment goals. In situ bioremediation via natural attenuation is an alternative treatment process in which TCE is transformed by indigenous microorganisms and plants.