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Dr.-Ing. Georg Schnell
Group leader Laser micromachining and surface functionalisation
Dr.-Ing. Georg Schnell is the head of the LaserSurf subgroup, which he established at the Chair of Microfluidics. His research focuses on ultrashort-pulse laser processing, laser-induced surface functionalization, and the analysis of surface effects, including tribological and wetting properties of structured surfaces.
He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rostock in 2021, with a dissertation on femtosecond laser processing of titanium alloys and its influence on physical and chemical surface properties. He previously completed his M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in design and lightweight engineering.
Dr. Schnell’s research is characterized by a strong interdisciplinary approach that integrates mechanical engineering, materials science, laser technology, tribology, and biomedical engineering. His work frequently involves collaboration across different scientific disciplines to develop functional surfaces for both technical and biomedical applications.
In addition to his research activities, he contributes to teaching in master’s programs, supervises graduate students, and serves as a reviewer for international journals in laser surface engineering and materials science. His research results have been published in numerous international peer-reviewed journals in surface and materials science, including Applied Surface Science, Tribology International, and Journal of Colloid and Interface Science.
Surface Engineering – scheduling
Ten selected publications
Schnell G, Bartling S, Thomas R et al. (2026) Effect of the pulse repetition rate on the scalability of the ultrashort pulse laser process for generating laser-induced self-organized nano- and microstructures on stainless steel. Applied Surface Science Advances. Under revision. Preprint: doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5907422 (Open Access)
Schnell G, Piehl J, Hartig T et al. (2025) PFAS-free superhydrophobic surfaces using femtosecond laser processing and hot-filament chemical vapor deposition. Surfaces and Interfaces 73:107605. doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2025.107605 (Open Access)
Schnell G, Studemund H, Thomas R, Seitz H (2023) Experimental investigations on the friction behavior of partially femtosecond laser-textured journal bearing shells. Tribology International 188:108764. doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2023.108764
Schnell G, Polley C, Thomas R, Bartling S, Wagner J, Springer A, Seitz H (2023) How droplets move on laser-structured surfaces: Determination of droplet adhesion forces on nano- and microstructured surfaces. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 630(Pt A):951–964. doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2022.10.091 (Open Access)
Schnell G, Müller T, Seitz H (2023) Tribological effects of different scaled chevron-shaped microstructures on the Stribeck curve of parallel contacts under unidirectional friction. Tribology International 178:108099. doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2022.108099 (Open Access)
Schnell G, Lund H, Bartling S, Polley C, Riaz A, Senz V, Springer A, Seitz H (2021) Heat accumulation during femtosecond laser treatment at high repetition rate – A morphological, chemical and crystallographic characterization of self-organized structures on Ti6Al4V. Applied Surface Science 570:151115. doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2021.151115 (Open Access)
Schnell G, Polley C, Bartling S, Seitz H (2020) Effect of chemical solvents on the wetting behavior over time of femtosecond laser structured Ti6Al4V surfaces. Nanomaterials 10:1241. doi.org/10.3390/nano10061241 (Open Access)
Schnell G, Duenow U, Seitz H (2020) Effect of laser pulse overlap and scanning line overlap on femtosecond laser-structured Ti6Al4V surfaces. Materials 13:969. doi.org/10.3390/ma13040969 (Open Access)
Schnell G, Jagow C, Springer A, Frank M, Seitz H (2019) Time-dependent anisotropic wetting behavior of deterministic structures of different strut widths on Ti6Al4V. Metals 9:938. doi.org/10.3390/met9090938 (Open Access)
Schnell G, Staehlke S, Duenow U, Nebe JB, Seitz H (2019) Femtosecond laser nano/micro textured Ti6Al4V surfaces – Effect on wetting and MG-63 cell adhesion. Materials 12:2210. doi.org/10.3390/ma12132210 (Open Access)