Ferrofluidic actuation of liquid metal for radio‐frequency applications

Soft miniature machines demonstrate multimodal actuation and morphology change capabilities in narrow spaces smaller than their dimension. The wirelessly controlled soft‐bodied features make them promising candidates for microrobotic manipulation and targeted operation in a noninvasive manner. Liquid‐bodied machine offers an ultrasoft body with extreme deformability owing to its fluid nature, enabling adaptive navigation with smooth contact with objects and environmental restrictions. Over the last decade of development, significant research progress has been achieved in wirelessly controlling liquid‐bodied machines for diverse manipulation applications. Herein, an overview of the recent research results in magnetic control methods and diverse microrobotic applications of liquid‐bodied machines is provided. Considering the control mechanisms and application challenges, ferrofluid‐based, liquid metal‐based, and liquid marble‐based machines are mainly discussed with a brief discussion on droplet‐based machines. The connection between control methods and applications is highlighted with a detailed analysis of machine–object and machine–environment interactions. The current challenges and research opportunities on liquid‐bodied miniature machines are outlined, aiming at designing intelligent liquid‐bodied machine‐based microrobotic systems and promoting the development of small‐scale robotics.

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“…Direct actuation requires the robot to be magnetic, and the indirect involves a magnetic‐responsive environment. [ 149 ]…”

Section: Liquid Metal‐based Machinesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reconfigurable Liquid‐Bodied Miniature Machines: Magnetic Control and Microrobotic Applications

Wang

Xiang

Lang

et al. 2023

Advanced Intelligent Systems

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“…This method did not require modification of the liquid and minimized damage to some sensitive specimens. On the other hand, Combs et al [76] controlled a magnet below the channel, thus pushing the Galinstan slug surrounded by the ferromagnetic fluid in parallel with the average velocity of 15.6 mm s −1 (figure 9(e)).…”

Section: Fundamentals Of Magnetic Field-driven Liquidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Programmable intelligent liquid matter: material, science and technology

Zhou¹,

Zu²,

Liu³

2022

J. Micromech. Microeng.

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Intelligent responses, transformation and desired delivery of liquids involve the intersection among materials, physics, and chemistry. The precise programmed operation has been found rather significant in many emerging fields, such as microfluidic devices, digital fluids, intelligent matter, responsive liquid machines, interactive display, soft robotic system and drug delivery, etc. This article is dedicated to presenting a comprehensive review of recent advances in the programmable actuation of liquid matter controlled by unique substrate structures and various physical fields. First, the fundamental theories of asymmetric surface microstructure and specifically administrated external effects such as electric, magnetic, acoustic, light, and thermal fields to drive droplets are illustrated. Then, we compare the advantages and disadvantages of these typical technological strategies. Furthermore, the practical multifunctional extension of programmable liquids based on different actuation mechanisms is presented. Finally, we summarize the design schemes of programming units for liquid matter and give perspective on possible future research directions, providing a brief reference for researchers interested in the field.

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“…The mixture of LMs and iron particles endows LMs with magnetism. During the preparation and application process, the surface oxide layer of LMs is removed or prevented through the hydrocarbon group, [82] surfactant, [87] plastic materials, [88] and the acid or alkaline solution environment, [22,89] which allows magnetic LMs to be more widely used in fields such as drug loading, [34,72] controllable machines, [8,38,40] and electrical switches. [42,80]…”

Section: Preparation Of Magnetic Liquid Metalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[79][80][81] Magnetic LM fluid can be prepared by internalizing iron powder or mechanical alloying. [82] In the study by Kim et al [79] and Jeon et al, [42] Fe powder was adhered to the oxide skin on the surface of LMs, producing a LM marble with magnetism. In the study of Florian Carle et al, [83] LMs and Fe powder could react in hydrochloric acid environment.…”

Section: Preparation Of Magnetic Liquid Metalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Recent Development of Liquid Metal‐Based Functional Materials Combined with Common Transition Metals

Wang

Guo

Xiao

et al. 2021

Adv Materials Inter

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Gallium‐based liquid metals (LMs) are a group of metal materials that are in liquid state at room temperature. Their unique physiochemical properties such as fluidity, conductivity, and interfacial properties with other materials have presented great potentials and wide applications. Specifically, the interactions between gallium‐based LMs and some common but important transition metals (TMs) have not only enabled a series of intriguing phenomena but also provided valuable strategies or functional materials in soft robotics, devices, flexible electronics, addictive manufacturing, biomedical engineering and therapies, and other fields. The chemical mechanisms including the galvanic corrosion, infiltration, intermetallic compound formation should play vital roles within these interactions. Hereby the combining the LMs and TMs by alloying or physically mixing may offer a platform to develop novel and multifunctional materials system. To acquire a comprehensive understanding of those interactions as well as to inspire the researches for multifunctional materials design and applications, this article reviews the researches on the combination of LMs and TMs, discusses the characteristics, the mechanisms, and their applications especially in electronics, smart materials, and biomedicine. The main challenges and future research outlook are also discussed.

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Ferrofluidic actuation of liquid metal for radio‐frequency applications

Cited by 9 publications

References 18 publications

Reconfigurable Liquid‐Bodied Miniature Machines: Magnetic Control and Microrobotic Applications

Reconfigurable Liquid‐Bodied Miniature Machines: Magnetic Control and Microrobotic Applications

Programmable intelligent liquid matter: material, science and technology

Recent Development of Liquid Metal‐Based Functional Materials Combined with Common Transition Metals

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