Formation of periodic nanostructures using a femtosecond laser to control cell spreading on titanium

Although titanium (Ti) is a common biomaterial, controlling cell spreading by forming periodic structures using a femtosecond laser should improve its biocompatibility. Herein we investigate the influence of periodic nanostructures formed on the surface of a Ti plate on cell spreading. Nanostructures with a periodicity of 590 nm are formed using a femtosecond laser with a wavelength of 775 nm. Cell spreading on the plate without period structures lacks a definite direction, whereas cell spreading on the Ti plate with periodic structures occurs along the grooves, suggesting that forming periodic structures via a femtosecond laser can control cell spreading.