The objective of the STELLAR project - Surface TExturing with Laser for Large Areas with Riblets is to address a series of existing needs such as providing clean, flexible, environmentally friendly and energy-efficient surface profiling. To achieve this, laser technology will be used for the mass production of Riblets, reducing drag on technical surfaces across multiple applications and sectors.

In this sense, the objectives of the project focus on demonstrating that riblet-shaped surfaces inspired by shark skin improve the energy efficiency of rotation and movement in flow applications through high-speed laser engraving and plastic replication of inverse riblets made with lasers.

Furthermore, the potential of this project lies in the large number of cases and applications to which it could be extended. Thus, riblets are laser-engraved on pipes and propellers and tested under operating conditions. This stimulates innovations for energy saving and clean energy production, for example in the energy machinery sector, supporting the EU Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Finally, its impact and potential benefits are associated with improvements in technological/functional performance, translating into a positive social impact in terms of economic growth, employment and quality of life. Likewise, synergies arise between industry and academia, and thanks to an industrial Advisory Board, the entire community of stakeholders is reached, ensuring technology transfer to industry.

The project involves Hochschule Mittweida (coordinator), AMPLITUDE and IZERTIS.

This project has been co-funded by the Government of the Principality of Asturias through the 2022 call of the M-ERA.NET network from SEKUENS and by the European Union through ERDF (file no. IDE/2023/000038).