A Robot Boat Powered by Liquid Metal Engines

Li, Xiangpeng; Tang, Shi; Shen, Li; Yang, Junhui; Zhou, J.; Yang, Hao; Li, Weihua; Sun, Lining

doi:10.1002/admt.202000840

Cited by 19 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…In this case, higher flow rates could be achieved, which was related to the greater ion adsorption in the ILs . An additional application of liquid metal actuation is powering the movement of the robot boat by the continuous electrowetting approach . Another interesting aspect is that liquid metal droplets are able to solve complicated mazes due to the application of the electrochemical driving force and the fact that the liquid metal always moves toward the steepest decent of the local electrical field potential. , …”

Section: Surface Tensionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…127 An additional application of liquid metal actuation is powering the movement of the robot boat by the continuous electrowetting approach. 128 Another interesting aspect is that liquid metal droplets are able to solve complicated mazes due to the application of the electrochemical driving force and the fact that the liquid metal always moves toward the steepest decent of the local electrical field potential. 129,130 By directly applying a potential to the liquid metal, the interfacial tension of the liquid metal can be altered substantially (between around 500 mN/m to below 50 mN/ m).…”

Section: T T T Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Critical Review on the Physical Properties of Gallium-Based Liquid Metals and Selected Pathways for Their Alteration

2021

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Gallium-based liquid metals have gained plenty of attention in the scientific community due to their extraordinary properties. The most intriguing properties of liquid metals are high surface tension, density anomaly, high electrical and thermal conductivity, phase transition, and their temperature and low viscosity in combination with their low toxicity. Though there are many reports of the physical properties of gallium-based liquid metals, some of these are highly scattered and inconsistent. Therefore, we compile literature data of these aspects of gallium-based liquid metals, point out general relationships of these physical parameters, and unravel inconsistencies in the literature. Subsequently, we state reasons for the observed scatter and recommend science-based values researchers should employ. Furthermore, we discuss important dependencies between the physical parameters, introduce methods to alter the physical parameters, and introduce selected applications based on changing the physical properties. Finally, we point out open questions concerned with the physical parameters of liquid metals, which should be investigated in the future.

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Section: Surface Tensionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: T T T Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical Review on the Physical Properties of Gallium-Based Liquid Metals and Selected Pathways for Their Alteration

2021

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“…This electrochemically tunable IFT can trigger the expansion and contraction of LM droplets in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution, a technique that has been employed to mimic the heartbeat, as well as for muscle contractions [ 14 , 15 ]. In addition, the tunable IFT can serve as the driving force for LM droplet-based soft robots, fabricated by encapsulating the LM droplets and electrolyte solutions in a closed system [ 16 , 17 ]. However, the forces exerted by IFT-induced movement are rather small.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-Healable and Recyclable Dual-Shape Memory Liquid Metal–Elastomer Composites

et al. 2022

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Liquid metal (LM)–polymer composites that combine the thermal and electrical conductivity of LMs with the shape-morphing capability of polymers are attracting a great deal of attention in the fields of reconfigurable electronics and soft robotics. However, investigation of the synergetic effect between the shape-changing properties of LMs and polymer matrices is lacking. Herein, a self-healable and recyclable dual-shape memory composite, comprising an LM (gallium) and a Diels–Alder (DA) crosslinked crystalline polyurethane (PU) elastomer, is reported. The composite exhibits a bilayer structure and achieves excellent shape programming abilities, due to the phase transitions of the LM and the crystalline PU elastomers. To demonstrate these shape-morphing abilities, a heat-triggered soft gripper, which can grasp and release objects according to the environmental temperature, is designed and built. Similarly, combining the electrical conductivity and the dual-shape memory effect of the composite, a light-controlled reconfigurable switch for a circuit is produced. In addition, due to the reversible nature of DA bonds, the composite is self-healable and recyclable. Both the LM and PU elastomer are recyclable, demonstrating the extremely high recycling efficiency (up to 96.7%) of the LM, as well as similar mechanical properties between the reprocessed elastomers and the pristine ones.

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“…The interfacial tension gradient of the LM is induced by the exterior electric field and forms a Marangoni fluid flow in the electrolyte solution, 44 providing a new approach to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. Based on the CEW effect, small vehicles, 4 wheeled robots, 45 untethered vehicles, 46 liquid metal electrical brushes 47 and robot boats 48 were created for trajectory movement, cargo transportation, and intelligent control. Nevertheless, due to the deformation and the extremely high fluidity of LMs, it is still a significant challenge to remotely control the motion trajectory flexibly and accurately, and the motion of LMs only appears in aqueous environments, which would somewhat limit their functionality available to various needs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%