Achieving clean, antifouling and antibacterial surfaces with lasers

Laser-based techniques provide an efficient and sustainable alternative to conventional cleaning and antibacterial surface treatments. This study evaluates laser cleaning for the removal of food residues from stainless steel, demonstrating effective soil removal without surface damage. Cleaning time and cost of laser-cleaning are compared to conventional wet-chemical cleaning, revealing significant time and cost reduction by laser-cleaning. Additionally, laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) and direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) were used to create sub-micron textures on polypropylene, significantly reducing Staphylococcus aureus adhesion. The results highlight the potential of laser technology for chemical-free cleaning and durable antimicrobial surfaces, offering promising applications in food processing and hygiene-sensitive industries.