SHARK will unlock the potential for laser texturing for the generation of functional surfaces by boosting the productivity, efficiency and flexibility of the process. This will provide the European industry with a highly robust, cost effective and environmentally friendly system that is capable of producing a broad range of functional surfaces at industrial scale throughputs, and place Europe in an unassailable lead in this key area of manufacturing. SHARK will advance laser surface texturing from the current ‘trial and error’, lab-scale concept into a highly predictable, data driven industrial approach by developing a digitally enabled knowledge management platform with a comprehensive database of process parameters and functionalities. SHARK system will be configured as an Open-platform independent of the laser source manufacturers, which for long, has been one of the main limitations for the process. SHARK’s system will be underpinned by a number of technology advances. Two laser surface texturing technologies will be developed, both based upon nanosecond fibre lasers. Pseudo Random laser texturing and Direct Laser Interference Patterning will be employed, offering complementary techniques to yield a highly flexible tool capable of delivering wide range of functional surfaces with exceptional productivity and excellent process efficiency. The project will develop surface texture predictive modelling to rapidly define key process variables required for specific surface functionalities. This will be combined with inline surface characterisation to enable rapid feedback and inbuilt quality assurance. The project will deliver the following benefits: • The capability to deliver surface functionalities into real products for less than 10% of the cost of the conventional part • Greater than 20% improvement in product performance based on the surface functionalities deployed. • Accelerated product development • Strengthened global position of European manufacturing

Nobel Prize winner W. E. Pauli warned, “God made the bulk, surfaces were invented by the Devil”. Surface properties must be controlled and modified to satisfy demanding engineering requirements for sectors as diverse as consumer appliances, packaging, automotive, aerospace, and energy. The mass manufacture of functional surfaces is currently achieved via the application of expensive coatings, which can have proven harmful consequences on the environment. HIMALAIA proposes the first up-scalable, adaptable, industrially relevant, cost-effective manufacturing platform that would allow the mass-production of high-performing functional micron and sub-micron structured surfaces on 3D and/or large polymer parts with antimicrobial, anti-scratch, anti-squeak, self-cleaning and aesthetic properties without coatings. Latest advances in laser surface patterning/texturing, particle self-assembly for photonic nanojet patterning, and surface engineering of injection moulds at TRL4 will be combined and brought to TRL6 for the efficient and flexible micro / nano-structuration of large, 3D mould cavities. These moulds will allow mass production of parts with functional surfaces via injection moulding. This process will be developed with great strides made notably on the modelling of structure-function relationships and on the demoulding step. Finally, in-line, model-based inspection of surface topographies and functionalities will be developed and implemented on the platform. Results will be supported by Life-Cycle Analysis, project management, dissemination and IP/innovation management to ensure the economic sustainability and the European deployment of the platform towards 2030. HIMALAIA will validate the efficiency and flexibility of the manufacturing platform through three high impact industrials demonstrators in different sectors: orthodontics (EO), cosmetic packaging (Albea) and automotive (CRF). Clear scientific, exploitation and business plans are presented.