Electropulsing-assisted laser shock imprinting for hierarchical and bio-inspired surface on bulk metal
摘要
We introduce electropulsing-assisted laser shock imprinting (EPLSI), a transformative approach for bulk metal nanotexturing that combines ultrafast laser shocks with pulsed currents. Overcoming conventional lithography limits, EPLSI enables high-resolution 3D patterning of bulk metals using soft molds, achieving previously unattainable formability. Electropulsing doubles nano-feature aspect ratios and quadruples multi-step patterning efficiency by activating electroplasticity at ultrahigh strain rates (103–106 s−1). Microstructural analyses demonstrate how pulsed currents reduce dislocation density while promoting twinning and stacking faults, enabling hierarchical nanostructuring. Multiplex EPLSI produces biomimetic surfaces with enhanced hydrophobicity and large-area uniformity on copper and aluminum alloys. This technique bridges the gap between scalable manufacturing and precision nanofabrication, offering new opportunities for functional surfaces in plasmonics, catalysis, and biomedical devices. By elucidating the interplay between electropulsing and defect dynamics during ultrafast deformation, we establish a foundation for next-generation metal nanostructuring technologies that combine nanoscale precision with industrial-scale throughput.