Emerging Applications of Liquid Metals Featuring Surface Oxides

Gallium and several of its alloys are liquid metals at or near room temperature. Gallium has low toxicity, essentially no vapor pressure, and a low viscosity. Despite these desirable properties, applications calling for liquid metal often use toxic mercury because gallium forms a thin oxide layer on its surface. The oxide interferes with electrochemical measurements, alters the physicochemical properties of the surface, and changes the fluid dynamic behavior of the metal in a way that has, until recently, been considered a nuisance. Here, we show that this solid oxide "skin" enables many new applications for liquid metals including soft electrodes and sensors, functional microcomponents for microfluidic…

• NS
  National Science Foundation
• DO
  Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation

  Award: 0954321
• DO
  Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems

  Award: 0925797
• DO
  Division of Engineering Education and Centers

  Award: 1160483