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Polymer Replicas of Fs-Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures for Cell Attachment.
Prunella Ndjogo1, Marion Widhalm2,3, Agnes Weth3
1Manutech-USD, 20 Rue Pr. Benoit Lauras, 42000 Saint-Etienne, France.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 28, 2026
Summary
Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) were formed on titanium and steel using fs laser irradiation. Polymer replicas of these LIPSS were created, and cell attachment showed no dependence on LIPSS periodicity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Laser Physics
- Surface Engineering
Background:
- Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) are a subject of interest for surface modification.
- Replication of LIPSS in polymers offers potential for creating functional surfaces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation and characteristics of LIPSS on titanium and steel.
- To explore the replication of LIPSS in polymers.
- To evaluate the influence of LIPSS periodicity on cell attachment.
Main Methods:
- Femtosecond (fs) laser irradiation of polished titanium and steel samples at varying angles of incidence and polarization.
- Characterization of LIPSS periodicity and orientation.
- Two-step process for replicating LIPSS in polymers.
- Seeding of Schwann cells and fibroblasts on polymer replicas.
Main Results:
- LIPSS formation was achieved with controllable periodicity (500-1000 nm) by adjusting irradiation parameters.
- A secondary, larger LIPSS feature (1300-2200 nm) was observed for p-polarization at medium angles.
- LIPSS orientation was generally perpendicular to laser polarization, with exceptions noted for s-polarization on steel.
- Polymer replicas of LIPSS were successfully produced.
- Cell attachment (Schwann cells and fibroblasts) did not show a direct correlation with LIPSS periodicity.
Conclusions:
- Fs laser irradiation is an effective method for generating tunable LIPSS on metals.
- Polymer replication provides a viable route to transfer LIPSS features.
- The tested cell types did not exhibit preferential attachment based on LIPSS periodicity, suggesting other factors may govern cell-surface interactions.
