Surface Texturing with Laser for Large Areas with Riblets - STELLAR

Project summary

Rationale / Needs to be addressed: To provide a clean, flexible, environmentally friendly and energy-efficient surface profiling technology by using lasers for Riblet mass production reducing drag on technical surfaces. Objectives: To demonstrate that shark skin inspired Riblet-shaped surfaces improve the energy efficiency of rotating and traverse flow applications by high-speed laser engraving and by plastic replication of laser-made inverse Riblets. Potential applications: Riblets are laser engraved on pipes and propellers and tested under op-erational conditions. This stimulates innovations for energy savings & clean energy production e.g., in energy machinery sector supporting EU Green Deal & UN SDGs. Impact and potential benefits: Besides technological/ functional performance improvements, positive societal impact for economic growth, employment & life quality is provided. Synergies between industry and academia arise, the IAB reaches stakeholder community, and assures tech transfer.