Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

The proposed RTI supports the purchase of a state-of-the-art fiber laser system that will be used to investigate laser-material interactions for laser ablation, texturing, cladding, treatment, and additive manufacturing (AM) of several metallic and ceramic materials, such as Inconel 617, TiAl, Al2O3, and SiC. The open-architecture, high-power laser is the only tool capable of asynchronously performing several laser processing techniques (e.g., ablation, AM) without the need for expensive commercial machines (e.g., laser AM machine, laser texturing equipment). There is currently no comparable system in Canada. The alternative of this laser system would be purchasing multiple commercial machines, such as laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) (>$600,000), laser DED (>$350,000), laser ablation (>$170,000), and laser micro-texturing machine (>$90,000), to investigate laser-material interactions of various laser processing techniques.  The equipment will serve as a centerpiece of a cross-university (University of Alberta, McMaster University) and diverse research program addressing fundamental and applied challenges in three core Themes supporting Canadian industries: Theme I: Defence and Nuclear: Investigation of laser processing (AM and surface treatment) of high-temperature corrosion-resistant materials for defence and nuclear applications, such as small modular reactors (SMRs). Theme II: Biomedical Implants: Laser ablation and AM of multi-material structures (e.g., Ti-6Al-4V/Hydroxyapatite) for biomedical implants with the aid of texturing of interlayers between two or more materials. Theme III: Laser cladding and surface treatment of oil & gas components (e.g., rotating equipment) using light-weight high entropy alloys (HEA) containing critical minerals. The proposed laser system is essential for completing and growing many on-going projects supporting the training of more than 60 HQP and over $2.6M/year in funding over the next 5 years. The laser system will be integrated with existing state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities (e.g., thermal spray, laser AM), diagnostic and imaging (e.g., ultra-high-speed cameras), and advanced testing (e.g., impact and shock lab) to guide novel discoveries on performance of laser additively manufactured industrial parts and promote unique hands-on training opportunities for HQP through equipment sharing, internships, and workshops. The principal investigators will achieve the maximum usage possible (more than 500 laser tests/year) given their research excellence demonstrated by training of +380 HQP, publication of +250 journal articles related to this program, leading successful CFI- and RTI-supported programs, and receiving fellowships (e.g., ASME Fellow, SPIE Fellow).