Use of ultrafast intense laser for processing lignocellulosic material
US5862845A · kind A · utility
31Cited by
1References
10Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 26, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K2103/50
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of processing lignocellulosic material comprises the steps of (a) generating a pulsed laser beam consisting of a train of laser pulses, each laser pulse having a duration less than 1.times.10.sup.-9 sec. and a peak intensity of at least 1.times.10.sup.11 w/cm.sup.2 ; and (b) directing the laser beam generated in step (a) onto a surface of the lignocellulosic material to cause ionization and fragmentation of macro-molecules thereof. The method of the invention enables one to cut, carve and/or sand the surface of lignocellulosic material without, burning same or damaging the cells of the lignocellulosic material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.