From art to engineering

This paper describes work which emerged through a need to understand more about the potential of laser surface engineering for use in the creative industries. The method of creation of contemporary jewellery pieces and the resultant ‘Ocular’ jewellery series are described from the points of view of an artist and an engineer. The work demonstrates how laser controlled oxide growth on commercially pure titanium under ambient conditions can be used as an artistic tool by producing even, defined colours or by reproducing a simulation of freehand drawings on a titanium surface. It also asks the question: how different are artists from scientists and engineers

Laser marking titanium for contemporary jewellery

How can scientific research relate to the world of art and design? The poster illustrates a unique and innovative PhD research project carried out by art jeweller Sarah O’Hana in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering. It explains how CO2 and Nd:YVO4 lasers can be used for accurate surface marking of titanium Ti 6al 4v and how applicable they are to the creation of contemporary jewellery This is the first practice-based PhD carried out in the School and relies entirely on the collaboration of art and science. Contemporary jewellery draws much from the scientific world for inspiration but also for the delivery of research knowledge via the making of luxury and one off wearable artwork to explain processes, concepts and technological advances. The strong visual message delivered by the poster explains the morphological changes on the titanium substrate after laser processing. The author’s production of two bracelets using laser marked titanium shows how modes of enquiry used by art cultures differ from traditional research methods with regard to personal involvement, replicability and authorship but it also highlights a shared curiosity that can generate creative energy. In conclusion, laser controlled oxide growth on titanium can be used as an artistic tool by producing precisely defined colours. The overriding success of this work, however, is the pathway created from art practice into engineering research that has resulted in an improved communication between disciplines

Laser marking titanium for contemporary jewellery

How can scientific research relate to the world of art and design?The poster illustrates a unique and innovative PhD research project carried out by art jeweller Sarah O’Hana in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering. It explains how CO2 and Nd:YVO4 lasers can be used for accurate surface marking of titanium Ti 6al 4v and how applicable they are to the creation of contemporary jewellery This is the first practice-based PhD carried out in the School and relies entirely on the collaboration of art and science. Contemporary jewellery draws much from the scientific world for inspiration but also for the delivery of research knowledge via the making of luxury and one off wearable artwork to explain processes, concepts and technological advances. The strong visual message delivered by the poster explains the morphological changes on the titanium substrate after laser processing.The author’s production of two bracelets using laser marked titanium shows how modes of enquiry used by art cultures differ from traditional research methods with regard to personal involvement, replicability and authorship but it also highlights a shared curiosity that can generate creative energy.In conclusion, laser controlled oxide growth on titanium can be used as an artistic tool by producing precisely defined colours. The overriding success of this work, however, is the pathway created from art practice into engineering research that has resulted in an improved communication between disciplines.</p

Optical properties of titanium upon pulsed laser irradiation: modification & modeling

Surface oxidation treatment of titanium is performed utilizing a Nd:YVO4 laser (wavelength of 532nm, pulse duration of 7ns, repetition rate of 30kHz). Different colored areas on titanium are obtained depending on the scanning velocity and distance between the consecutive scans at laser fluence of ~12J/cm2, intensity of ~1.7109W/cm2. The various colors observed in reflection are attributed to the light interference within the thin oxide layer formed on the sample surface. The characterization is done by means of fitting spectrophotometric measurements taking into account the propagation of light in stratified media and using a multi-sample approach. It is argued that laser controlled oxide growth on metals under ambient conditions can be used as an artistic tool by producing precisely defined colors, and hence paves a route towards the use of laser surface engineering for creative industries