Russian Scientists Turn One Material Into Two With a Single Laser Process
Researchers at Tomsk Polytechnic University have developed a laser-based technique that produces two distinct materials with different properties from a single starting substrate. The approach could support the development of sensors, antennas, and biomedical devices for the internet of things. The study, funded by the Rossiiskii nauchnyi fond (Russian Science Foundation), was published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
A Controlled Transformation
Consumer electronics are typically both rigid and fragile. Bend a smartphone in half, and it breaks. The TPU team asked a different question: what if the material itself could bend without losing functionality? Their answer, grounded in laser physics and materials science, is a processing technique that changes the internal structure of a substrate without replacing it.
The method developed at TPU is a universal laser treatment process capable of transforming a single sample into two fundamentally different functional materials – a copper composite and a copper hybrid integrated with laser-induced graphene. The resulting materials are mechanically robust, flexible, resistant to oxidation, and do not require additional protective coatings. A single blank substrate can yield distinct material properties tailored to specific engineering tasks.
Experimental analysis showed that materials processed using the TPU technique retained stability after 100 bending cycles at humidity levels above 95% and a temperature of 70°C over three days. They also remained stable at humidity above 95% and 40°C over ten days.
The breakthrough lies not only in achieving dual functionality, but in the performance characteristics. The materials resist oxidation without protective layers and operate reliably in high-humidity environments and under substantial temperature fluctuations. For device engineers, that means fewer protective barriers, simplified design architectures, and potentially longer service life.
Why It Matters for the Country and It's People
Technological sovereignty has become a strategic priority for Russia, particularly in telecommunications and electronics, where reliance on imported components remains a structural vulnerability. TPU’s development addresses part of that challenge. It provides a domestic foundation for flexible electronics, IoT sensors, and biomedical sensing platforms.
Within a few years, this line of research could translate into more affordable wearable devices, smart medical patches, and health monitoring systems manufactured using locally developed materials. For the country, it represents an opportunity to enter global supply chains not merely as a consumer, but as a provider of high-value materials solutions. Publication in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces signals international recognition of the scientific contribution.
Part of a Broader Materials Shift
The TPU team’s work aligns with a broader movement in advanced materials research toward laser modification and two-dimensional structures. In recent years, other Russian research groups have investigated MXenes for spectral control, weather-resistant laser communication systems, and advanced optical filters. The TPU approach fits within this expanding portfolio of laser-enabled functional materials.
Commercial deployment remains a future step. Scaling production, validating long-term durability in industrial settings, and aligning with regulatory standards will require additional work. Still, the technological trajectory is clear. If startups and industrial partners adopt the platform, Russia could secure a competitive position in flexible sensors and antenna technologies. In that sense, the research moves beyond laboratory theory and toward economic application.
