Methods and systems are provided for using optical interferometry in the context of material modification processes such as surgical laser or welding applications. An imaging optical source that produces imaging light. A feedback controller controls at least one processing parameter of the material modification process based on an interferometry output generated using the imaging light. A method of processing interferograms is provided based on homodyne filtering. A method of generating a record of a material modification process using an interferometry output is provided.

Provided herein are methods for the controlled, independent modification of the surface of polymer-based materials and compositions generated thereby. The methods include use of low temperature plasma for surface modification. The methods allow for the alteration of multiple surface characteristics including generation of precise nanostructures, morphology, crystallography and chemical composition for increased biocompatibility, for example, hydrophilicity, steric hindrance, anti-inflammatory properties and/or anti-bacterial properties.

A device and method for reducing and homogenizing residual stress of a component by an array of high-energy elastic waves. The device includes a tubular body consisting of at least two elements, multiple first through holes and a clamping device provided on an outer side of the tubular body. Exciters are connected with exciting wedges so that an end face of each of the exciting wedges is closely coupled to a surface of the component. A connection portion is coupled to an emitting end of each of the exciters, where the axis of the emitting end coincides with a normal line at a pressed surface of the component A multi-channel signal amplifier is electrically connected to each of the exciters and a multi-channel excitation control module is electrically connected to the multi-channel signal amplifier.

A device and method for reducing and homogenizing residual stress of a component by an array of high-energy elastic waves. The device includes a tubular body consisting of at least two elements, multiple first through holes and a clamping device provided on an outer side of the tubular body. Exciters are connected with exciting wedges so that an end face of each of the exciting wedges is closely coupled to a surface of the component. A connection portion is coupled to an emitting end of each of the exciters, where the axis of the emitting end coincides with a normal line at a pressed surface of the component A multi-channel signal amplifier is electrically connected to each of the exciters and a multi-channel excitation control module is electrically connected to the multi-channel signal amplifier.

An apparatus for localized patterned surface hardening for light-weight alloys to increase wear resistance under lubricated contact is provided. The apparatus includes a first metallic structure and a second metallic structure. The second metallic structure includes a contact surface and is disposed in lubricated contact with the first metallic structure at the contact surface, wherein the second metallic structure is constructed with a lighter-than-steel material and wherein the contact surface includes a localized surface hardened pattern.

A metallic structure includes a first plurality of metal particles arranged in an amorphous structure; a second plurality of metal particles arranged in a crystalline structure having at least two grain sizes, wherein the crystalline structure is arranged to receive the amorphous structure deposited thereon; wherein the grain size is arranged in a gradient structure.

A metallic structure includes a first plurality of metal particles arranged in an amorphous structure; a second plurality of metal particles arranged in a crystalline structure having at least two grain sizes, wherein the crystalline structure is arranged to receive the amorphous structure deposited thereon; wherein the grain size is arranged in a gradient structure.

Methods for making a material superwicking and/or superwetting (superhydrophyllic) involving creating one or more indentations in the surface of the material that have a micro-rough surface of protrusions, cavities, spheres, rods, or other irregularly shaped features having heights and/or widths on the order of 0.5 to 100 microns and the micro-rough surface having a nano-rough surface of protrusions, cavities, spheres, rods, and other irregularly shaped features having heights and/or widths on the order of 1 to 500 nanometers. Superwicking and/or superwetting materials having micro-rough and nano-rough surface indentations, including metals, glass, enamel, polymers, semiconductors, and others.

Methods for making a material superwicking and/or superwetting (superhydrophyllic) involving creating one or more indentations in the surface of the material that have a micro-rough surface of protrusions, cavities, spheres, rods, or other irregularly shaped features having heights and/or widths on the order of 0.5 to 100 microns and the micro-rough surface having a nano-rough surface of protrusions, cavities, spheres, rods, and other irregularly shaped features having heights and/or widths on the order of 1 to 500 nanometers. Superwicking and/or superwetting materials having micro-rough and nano-rough surface indentations, including metals, glass, enamel, polymers, semiconductors, and others.

Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to materials processing methods using femtosecond duration laser pulses, and to the altered materials obtained by such methods. The resulting nanostructured (with or without macro- and micro-structuring) materials have a variety of applications, including, for example, aesthetic applications for jewelry or ornamentation; biomedical applications related to biocompatibility; catalysis applications; and modification of, for example, the optical and hydrophilic properties of materials including selective coloring.