Integrating laser nanostructured surfaces for armament fire control system applications

In a recently completed Army SBIR Phase-II project (W15QKN-18-C-0053), AlchLight has successfully developed a laser surface processing technology to produce superhydrophobic surfaces on metals and glass. The altered metal is also turned pitch black while the glass retain high transmissivity. AlchLight also developed the world’s first m-nm surface multi-functionalization workstation that can process meter-size surface area at a nm resolution.   Built on these successes, in this project, AlchLight, along with University of Rochester, proposes to elevate the technology to the next level by implementing two key enablers by: 1) introducing Machine Learning in our initial search for optimal laser processing parameters, which can speed up the parameter search speed from weeks to hours; 2) increasing our current workstation processing speed by over 10× and implementing a full automation for 3D contoured surface patterning. With these significant upgrades, AlchLight will incorporate its technology to improve Army fire control systems by (1) turning the fire control scope barrel interior surfaces super-absorptive for broadband light suppression, and (2) transforming their optics super-hydrophobic to prevent fogging and freeze-over. AlchLight has a robust customer base and an outstanding technology transition track record. AlchLight has taken a head start and is currently in the contracting phase to work with 2 key Army Fire Control producers of M151 and XM157. AlchLight plans to commercialize its technologies immediately following the completion of Sequential Phase II.