Active-Feedback Laser Surface Preparation System Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Topic No.: N161-061 Topic Title: Active-Feedback Laser Surface Preparation System Proposal No.: N161-061-0041 Firm: Physical Optics Corporation 1845 West 205th Street Torrance, California 90501 Contact: Sivanesan Ponniah Phone: (310) 320-3088 Web Site: http://www.poc.com Abstract: To address the Navy's need for a non-aqueous environmentally benign surface preparation for aluminum pre-treatment process, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Active-Feedback Laser Surface Preparation (AFLAP) system. This proposed surface processing method is based on pulsed laser ablation and a novel use of real-time surface quality monitoring with plasma emission spectroscopy. Specifically, the innovation in making treated surface quality information available during preparation will enable this method for preparing aluminum alloy surfaces with homogenous topography and a high level of purity. As a result, this method will produce a highly wettable surface to enable strong hydrothermally stable anodization, surface modification, or conversion coating of aluminum alloy for low-cost repair and rework of aircraft components, with zero chemical use, which directly addresses Navy requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method by building a benchtop prototype using commercial off-the-shelf components and conducting proof-of-concept experiments on a laser-processed, anodized aluminum test specimen in accordance with ASTM standards. In Phase II, an operational prototype with a fully developed ablation head will be built and tested. The proposed system is expected to reach technology readiness level (TRL) 5+ at the end of Phase II. Benefits: Developments of the proposed laser-based surface pre-treatment technology will benefit government agencies to cost-effectively perform maintenance, repair aircraft and land vehicles in a field environment, and clean surfaces in depot facilities. The AFLAP system can be used for decontaminating and cleaning hazardous coatings such as radioactively contaminated paint, lead-based coatings, and biologically contaminated surfaces. The commercial aircraft industry and the automobile industry will benefit by using the AFLAP system to facilitate a low-cost, highly reliable protective coating method and still meet strict regulations imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The assembly, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations of these industries can benefit from the development of the AFLAP system by replacing the mechanical cleaning process and the use of chemicals that are environmentally unsafe. Other potential commercial applications of the AFLAP system are the cleaning and removing of coatings on various high-value, high-volume parts, as well as glass etching and surface preparation in aerospace, automotive, medical, electronics, and telecommunication industries. In addition, the marine industry can use AFLAP to de-paint and clean parts and systems made from composite materials (such as boat hulls and propellers) on which chemical stripping is not suitable. Return