Stretchable and Soft Electronics using Liquid Metals

The use of liquid metals based on gallium for soft and stretchable electronics is discussed. This emerging class of electronics is motivated, in part, by the new opportunities that arise from devices that have mechanical properties similar to those encountered in the human experience, such as skin, tissue, textiles, and clothing. These types of electronics (e.g., wearable or implantable electronics, sensors for soft robotics, e-skin) must operate during deformation. Liquid metals are compelling materials for these applications because, in principle, they are infinitely deformable while retaining metallic conductivity. Liquid metals have been used for stretchable wires and interconnects, reconfigurable…

• NS
  National Science Foundation
• DF
  Directorate for Engineering

  Awards: ERC EEC‐1160483, CMMI‐0954321, CMMI‐1362284, MRSEC DMR‐1121107, CBET‐1510772
• AR
  Army Research Office

  Award: W911NF‐13‐C‐0045