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).

Elusive super-hard BC accessible through the laser-floating zone method.

Boron carbide is among the most promising ceramic materials nowadays: their mechanical properties are outstanding, and they open potential critical applications in near future. Since sinterability is the most critical drawback to this goal, innovative and competitive sintering procedures are attractive research topics in the science and technology of this carbide. This work reports the pioneer use of the laser-floating zone technique with this carbide.

Digital Luminescence Patterning via Inkjet Printing of a Photoacid Catalysed Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Formulation.

Accurate positioning of luminescent materials at the microscale is essential for the further development of diverse application fields including optoelectronics, energy, biotechnology and anti-counterfeiting. In this respect, inkjet printing has recently attracted great interest due to its ability to precisely deposit with high throughput and no contact, functional materials on different types of substrates. Here, we present a novel photoacid catalysed organic-inorganic hybrid luminescent ink.

Inkjet Printing of Functional Materials for Optical and Photonic Applications.

Inkjet printing, traditionally used in graphics, has been widely investigated as a valuable tool in the preparation of functional surfaces and devices. This review focuses on the use of inkjet printing technology for the manufacturing of different optical elements and photonic devices. The presented overview mainly surveys work done in the fabrication of micro-optical components such as microlenses, waveguides and integrated lasers; the manufacturing of large area light emitting diodes displays, liquid crystal displays and solar cells; as well as the preparation of liquid crystal and colloidal crystal based photonic devices working as lasers or optical sensors.

Bioeutectic Ceramics for Biomedical Application Obtained by Laser Floating Zone Method. Evaluation.

In this study, the Bioeutectic blocks were inserted into the critical size defects of eight rabbits, using both tibiae, and the physical and chemical nature of the remodeled interface between the Bioeutectic implants and the surrounding bone were performed at four and 15 months. The results showed a new fully mineralized bone growing in direct contact with the implants. The ionic exchange, taking place at the implant interface with the body fluids was essential in the process of the implant integration through a dissolution-precipitation-transformation mechanism.

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.

Efficient Nd(3+)-->Yb(3+) energy transfer in 0.8CaSiO(3)-0.2Ca(3)(PO(4))(2) eutectic glass.

In this work we report the study of energy transfer between Nd(3+) and Yb(3+) ions in glasses with the 0.8CaSiO(3)-0.2Ca(3)(PO(4))(2) eutectic composition at room temperature by using steady-state and time-resolved laser spectroscopy.

Broadband laser tunability of Nd3+ ions in 0.8CaSiO3-0.2Ca3(PO4)2 eutectic glass.

Site-selective spectroscopy and stimulated emission experiments performed in the (4)F(3/2)-->(4)I(11/2) laser transition of Nd(3+)-doped 0.8CaSiO(3-) 0.2Ca(3)(PO(4))(2) eutectic glass are presented.