**1. Introduction: biomaterials and implant engineering**

Biomaterials and implant engineering have become vital fields in the medical and surgical industries. These disciplines can enhance the quality and length of human life, and have an immense effect on the health of numerous individuals. The technologies associated with biomaterials and implant engineering, particularly in the fields of surgical implants such as dental, bone, and tissue implant applications, have led to the creation of numerous research opportunities [1–3]. In today's society, with the continuous growth in population and educa‐ tion, there is a preference for an improved lifestyle, better bodyfunctionality, and more appealing

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aesthetics. This leads to ongoing expansion and discovery in the technology and science associated with biomaterials and implant engineering [3–6].

This chapter describes a research opportunity for the investigation and improvement of the effects of laser surface texturing on enhancing the biocompatibility and bioactivity of titani‐ um. Titanium substrates are used to examine the effects of key laser process parameters, including power, scanning parameters, and frequency on their surface topography proper‐ ties and biocompatibility.

### **1.1. Main challenge in implant engineering**

Cell adhesion and biocompatibility are important parameters for implant fabrication and the production of biomedical devices. Improvements to an implant's performance in the implan‐ tation site could benefit the patient's quality of life. Low biocompatibility is often caused by poor integration of the implant with surrounding tissues. Cell behaviour on biomaterial surfaces depends upon implant‐cell interactions, which are correlated with surface proper‐ ties such as hydrophilicity, roughness, texture, chemical composition, charge, and topogra‐ phy properties [6–8]. Although there is a great range in the design and function of various implants, the one common factor for all of them is their biocompatibility, which affects overall implant performance. Biocompatibility enhancement of materials used in implants is current‐ ly an essential challenge in implant engineering [8]. This property is essential in order to avoid any infections and immune system rejection. It can also affect the healing process by reduc‐ ing the healing time. A reduced healing time is desirable in implant applications, since the sooner the body accepts the implant organ, the sooner the user can function normally [7, 9, 10].

The implant's surface is the main area in contact with the body at an implantation site. Therefore, to increase the biocompatibility of a material, various methods of surface treat‐ ment are currently being used in industry [9, 11, 12].

#### **1.2. Fabrication methods of biocompatible materials**

One method to affect the surface properties of a material is to alter the surface topography properties. There are multiple conventional methods used commercially for processing and surface texturing of materials for bone and tissue implant applications [9, 11]. The most common mechanical methods for altering surface topography properties include sandblast‐ ing and machining, while acid etching and oxidation are common chemical methods. Although these methods are effectively used in industry, there are major disadvantages associated with them. Slow production time, complex control processes, and chemical contaminations are only a small number of the challenges presented by these commonly used processing techniques [13]. The newly developing method of laser surface texturing of materials addresses these disadvantages in a simple and effective manner. Lasers are able to deliver very low to high energy with extreme precision in dimension, spatial distribution, and temporal distribution. Lasers offer better control and precision, offer more feasibility, and are environmentally friendly [14–16]. Decreased processing time makes lasers particularly suitable for mass production, rapid prototyping, and custom‐scale manufacturing for a wide variety of applications, such as microwelding, drilling, cutting, and heat treatment of metals and alloys. Laser treatment is known for its fast and precise manner in the processing of materials, and for the variety of scales offered by lasers, including micro‐, submicro‐, and nanofabrication [8, 15].
