Laser-assisted Material Processing

David J. Hwang, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY, 11794 USA

Abstract

Lasers have proved to be effective tools for precise material processing and diagnostics in micro/nanoscales taking advantage of versatile thermal/non-thermal excitation mechanisms selectively activated at a wide range of temporal and spatial domains. In this study, recent progress achieved in the laser-assisted material processing mainly related to energy manufacturing will be presented. Highlighted fabrication examples include thermal energy devices such as thermoelectric generator and thermal insulation composite materials, photovoltaic energy devices of thin film solar cell and selective liquid separation. Energy devices mainly require suppressed thermal transport characteristics yet maintaining other functionalities such as electronic transport, mechanical strength or selective wettability. To this end, it will be shown that manufacturing processes are significantly facilitated by unique capabilities of lasers.