It has been recently demonstrated that laser micromachining of magnetoactive elastomers is a very convenient method for fabricating dynamic surface microstructures with magnetically tunable properties, such as wettability and surface reflectivity. In this study, we investigate the impact of the micromachining process on the fabricated material’s structural properties and its chemical composition. By employing scanning electron microscopy, we investigate changes in size distribution and spatial arrangement of carbonyl iron microparticles dispersed in the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix as a function of laser irradiation. Based on the images obtained by a low vacuum secondary electron detector, we analyze modifications of the surface topography. The results show that most profound modifications occur during the low-exposure (8 J/cm²) treatment of the surface with the laser beam. Our findings provide important insights for developing theoretical models of functional properties of laser-sculptured microstructures from magnetoactive elastomers.

We study the dynamic response of magnetoactive elastomer lamellar surfaces to rapid changes in an external uniform magnetic field and how they alter the surface optical reflectance. We also present a minimal hybrid model that helps explain the lamellar structure frustration.

Soft magnetoactive elastomers (MAEs) are smart materials that respond to external magnetic fields by dynamically altering their mechanical properties. They are composed of magnetically responsive microparticles embedded within a soft polymer matrix, exhibiting an effective shear modulus of up to 100 kPa. In recent decades, MAEs' bulk properties have been successfully exploited for applications such as dynamic vibration damping, vibration sensing, and actuation in soft robotics. Recent research has shifted to their surface properties, revealing promising results on tunable surface features such as roughness, adhesion, and wetting. Even the transport of small solid and fluid objects was demonstrated. The associated surface effects can be significantly enhanced through the precise engineering of surface topography. In this article, an efficient laser micromachining technique, with a resolution of 15 µm, is presented, which enables rapid prototyping of MAE surfaces. It allows the creation of various complex shapes and offers functionality beyond the one achievable with traditional molding techniques. Additionally, the approach is versatile and can be applied to any polymer that sufficiently absorbs the laser light. As an example, a lamellar surface micro-pattern fabrication process and its characterization by optical and scanning electron microscopies are shown. Its response to a magnetic field is demonstrated. The technique provides a flexible and fast solution for optimizing polymer surface design across a wide range of applications.

Soft magnetoactive elastomers (MAEs) are smart materials that respond to external magnetic fields by dynamically altering their mechanical properties. They are composed of magnetically responsive microparticles embedded within a soft polymer matrix, exhibiting an effective shear modulus of up to 100 kPa. In recent decades, MAEs' bulk properties have been successfully exploited for applications such as dynamic vibration damping, vibration sensing, and actuation in soft robotics. Recent research has shifted to their surface properties, revealing promising results on tunable surface features such as roughness, adhesion, and wetting. Even the transport of small solid and fluid objects was demonstrated. The associated surface effects can be significantly enhanced through the precise engineering of surface topography. In this article, an efficient laser micromachining technique, with a resolution of 15 µm, is presented, which enables rapid prototyping of MAE surfaces. It allows the creation of various complex shapes and offers functionality beyond the one achievable with traditional molding techniques. Additionally, the approach is versatile and can be applied to any polymer that sufficiently absorbs the laser light. As an example, a lamellar surface micro-pattern fabrication process and its characterization by optical and scanning electron microscopies are shown. Its response to a magnetic field is demonstrated. The technique provides a flexible and fast solution for optimizing polymer surface design across a wide range of applications.