NU 2011-002 

Inventors

Jian Cao* 

Rui Zhou 

Kornel F. Ehmann 

Short Description

A desktop deformation-based surface texturing system for efficiently and economically fabricating micro-scale surface textures

Abstract

Northwestern researchers have developed a desktop surface texturing apparatus that can efficiently and economically fabricate micro-scale surface textures. Various energy and biomedical applications require creation of micro surface textures on the exterior of interface parts. However, an economically sustainable and environmental friendly fabrication method for surface micro texturing has been unavailable. Northwestern's invention fills this void using the efficient micro form rolling process to produce micro textures on thin sheet materials and internal surface of a journal bearing. Based on the deformation theory, this system enables mass production of micro channels at a lower cost with less energy consumption, less environmental impact, and a minimal material waste compared with alternative processes such as laser texturing and photochemical machining. This promising invention can be applied to a wide range of areas, such as friction/wear reduction, bacteria sterilization and self-cleaned surfaces. 

Applications

• Fabrication of surface micro-textures
• Friction/wear reduction
• Bacteria sterilization surface
• Self-cleaned surface

Advantages

• Efficient and economically sustainable
• Minimal material waste and low energy cost
• Room temperature practice
• Environmental friendly

Publication 

R. Zhou, et al (2011)  An investigation on deformation-based surface texturing. Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering. 133(6), 061017.

IP Status

Issued US Patent Nos. 8,905,748 and 9,688,015