Question: what are you working on at the moment ?

Dr Hywel Jones answered on 15 Jun 2010:

I’m working on some laser hardened materials for a client as we speak. They’be been using a laser to modify the surface to see if they can improve its properties. They are asking me to look at the structure of the metal to see if anything has changed and to measure how much harder it may be.
Such laser treatment may be useful in improving the performance of materials that are used in very abrasive environments, such as quarrying, mining or drilling oil wells (where they have to drill through rock and abrasive mud).
It means that the surface can be hard and wear resistant without having to make the whole part out of more expensive material, thus improving performance whilst also saving money.