Progress of laser cleaning technology from the perspective of Chinese patents

Abstract Laser cleaning technology has emerged as a rapidly developing high-tech surface engineering technology in recent years. It is considered the most promising green cleaning technology in the 21st century, and related patent applications exhibit an explosive growth trend. This study summarizes the overall trend of patent applications in laser cleaning in China, with a focus on systematically analyzing patents related to cleaning different substrates and coatings, cleaning equipment, and processes over the past 6 years. The main characteristics of the growth trend, institutional attributes, regional distribution, and type proportion of laser cleaning patent applications in China are clarified. The patent application characteristics of laser cleaning for different substrate materials and coatings are identified. The progress in research and development of laser cleaning equipment, cleaning terminals, and monitoring devices is outlined, while potential for maintaining substrate surface integrity and achieving surface functionalization through laser cleaning is explored. Areas for improvement in laser cleaning are determined to support the innovative development of laser cleaning technology.