High-Performance Magnetic and Electric Control of Liquid Metal Droplets

The utilization of gallium (Ga)‐based liquid metals (LMs) as functional materials in bioelectronics has been extensively explored over the past decade as a key to stimulation of biological systems and recording of biological signals. The motivation behind this class of electronics is driven by the opportunities to exploit mechanical properties similar to biological tissues. These bioelectronic devices are required to maintain functionality under deformation and, especially for implantable applications, should interface with biological tissues in a minimally invasive manner. LMs are attractive for such applications due to their ability to deform while retaining their electrical conductivity. Furthermore, unlike most liquids that form droplets to minimize surface energy, the ultrathin solid‐state oxide layer on the outer surface of LMs enables them to be shaped to specific 3D patterns. Unlike mercury, Ga‐based LMs are considered biocompatible due to their low toxicity and vapor pressure, highlighting their potential as advantageous materials for bioelectronics. This review comprehensively presents the fundamental aspects of these materials, with a focus on their effectiveness in stimulating and recording specific biological tissues, as well as their diverse applications as soft and stretchable electrodes in bioelectronics. Additionally, this review investigates additional strategies aimed at driving future advancements in this field.

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Magnetic Liquid Metals: A Review

Kim,

Jeong,

Chung

et al. 2023

Adv Funct Materials

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Magnetic liquid metal (MLM) is a mixture of magnetic particles with gallium‐based liquid metals which utilizes an unconventional combination of fluidity, high thermal/electrical conductivity, biocompatibility, and magnetism. Recently, from materials to applications, studies on MLMs have drastically increased. Single or multiple MLMs can be precisely positioned or can act as a carrier for handling other objects. MLMs are also used in biomedical applications such as cancer treatment by hyperthermia and precision delivery of cancer drugs on tumors, or antibacterial coating which kills bacteria. In electronics applications, MLMs are used for magnetic field‐driven patterning of metallic lines, reconfigurable interconnects, electronic tattoos, and reconfigurable electromagnetic wave shielding. Phase change (solid/liquid) of MLMs adds another unique capability, morphing. A combination of innovations in the micro/nano robots and MLMs has huge potential to bring an unprecedented disruptive technology for a wide variety of applications including self‐morphing shape‐recovery robots, highly localized cancer treatment, and reconfigurable stealth/camouflage, among others. This article comprehensively reviews recent developments in MLMs from the materials to methods of preparation, locomotion of MLMs, their applications, and future outlooks.

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High-Performance Magnetic and Electric Control of Liquid Metal Droplets

Cited by 5 publications

References 27 publications

Principles and methods of liquid metal actuators

Principles and methods of liquid metal actuators

Ga‐Based Liquid Metals: Versatile and Biocompatible Solutions for Next‐Generation Bioelectronics

Magnetic Liquid Metals: A Review

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