On-demand magnetic manipulation of liquid metal in microfluidic channels for electrical switching applications

Jeon, Jinpyo; Lee, Jeong; Chung, Sang Kug; Kim, Dae-Young

doi:10.1039/c6lc01255h

Cited by 101 publications

(103 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The LM droplet was found to be more efficient for actuation in acidic solution than that in alkaline solution, perhaps due to the higher surface charge density of the EDL (Figure b). Similar to the electrical field, magnetic field actuated LM droplets were also proposed in recent years by integration of magnetic materials into LM …”

Section: Applications Of Liquid Metal–based Microfluidic Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Liquid Metal–Based Soft Microfluidics

Zhu

Wang

Handschuh‐Wang

et al. 2019

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Motivated by the increasing demand of wearable and soft electronics, liquid metal (LM)‐based microfluidics has been subjected to tremendous development in the past decade, especially in electronics, robotics, and related fields, due to the unique advantages of LMs that combines the conductivity and deformability all‐in‐one. LMs can be integrated as the core component into microfluidic systems in the form of either droplets/marbles or composites embedded by polymer materials with isotropic and anisotropic distribution. The LM microfluidic systems are found to have broad applications in deformable antennas, soft diodes, biomedical sensing chips, transient circuits, mechanically adaptive materials, etc. Herein, the recent progress in the development of LM‐based microfluidics and their potential applications are summarized. The current challenges toward industrial applications and future research orientation of this field are also summarized and discussed.

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Section: Applications Of Liquid Metal–based Microfluidic Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Liquid Metal–Based Soft Microfluidics

Zhu

Wang

Handschuh‐Wang

et al. 2019

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“…The liquid metal marble was tested as an electrical switch that worked completely wirelessly. In a similar attempt, Fe coated liquid metals were applied to magnetically manipulate the flow and slugs in microfluidic channels with different geometries toward electrical switching (Jeon et al, 2017). In this study, Fe coated liquid metals were treated with HCl to get spherical shapes and afterward, they were collected by a syringe.…”

Section: Manipulation By External Electric/magnetic Fieldmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(B) Process of liquid metal generation and oxide layer removal with HCl vapor (Mohammed et al, 2014). (C) Schematic of liquid metal manipulation with magnetic field (Jeon et al, 2017). (D) Liquid metal cooling system (Zhu et al, 2016).…”

Section: Manipulation By External Electric/magnetic Fieldmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gallium-Based Room-Temperature Liquid Metals: Actuation and Manipulation of Droplets and Flows

Majidi

Gritsenko

2017

Front. Mech. Eng.

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Gallium-based room-temperature liquid metals possess extremely valuable properties, such as low toxicity, low vapor pressure, and high thermal and electrical conductivity enabling them to become suitable substitutes for mercury and beyond in wide range of applications. When exposed to air, a native oxide layer forms on the surface of gallium-based liquid metals which mechanically stabilizes the liquid. By removing or reconstructing the oxide skin, shape and state of liquid metal droplets and flows can be manipulated/actuated desirably. This can occur manually or in the presence/absence of a magnetic/electric field. These methods lead to numerous useful applications such as soft electronics, reconfigurable devices, and soft robots. In this mini-review, we summarize the most recent progresses achieved on liquid metal droplet generation and actuation of gallium-based liquid metals with/without an external force.

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“…Applying an external potential gradient is the most commonly used method to drive and deform liquid metal within electrolytes. [26] Other ferromagnetic materials such as nickel can be electroplated on the surface of liquid metal to form a motor. Recently, the actuation of liquid metal droplets using external magnetic fields has been explored through the modification of liquid metal surface with ferromagnetic materials.…”

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confidence: 99%

Magnetically‐ and Electrically‐Controllable Functional Liquid Metal Droplets

Kuang

et al. 2019

Adv Materials Technologies

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including microelectromechanical (MEMS) actuators, [8][9][10][11][12] microscale heat exchangers, [13,14] soft and wearable electronics, [15][16][17][18][19] and reconfigurable structures. [20,21] Several techniques have been developed to control the motion and deformation of liquid metal droplets. Applying an external potential gradient is the most commonly used method to drive and deform liquid metal within electrolytes. [8,9,12,22] Other approaches for driving liquid metal droplets by inducing chemical reactions, [23,24] and ionic imbalance [25] have also been demonstrated. Recently, the actuation of liquid metal droplets using external magnetic fields has been explored through the modification of liquid metal surface with ferromagnetic materials. For example, liquid metal coated with iron (Fe) nanoparticles (NPs) can be manipulated, merged, and separated in microfluidic channels with various angles in discretionary direction using an external magnetic field. [26] Other ferromagnetic materials such as nickel can be electroplated on the surface of liquid metal to form a motor. [27] The liquid metal motor can be controlled using both magnetic and electric fields, and also can achieve autonomous locomotion by reacting with aluminum foil. Similarly, porous structure of liquid metal can be obtained by mixing liquid metal and iron NPs in hydrochloric acid. [28] Such a porous mix can expand when subjected to heating to control its density. However, the above-mentioned approaches using electroplating or NP coating/mixing significantly affect the intrinsic properties of liquid metal and may sacrifice the surface fluidity, deformability, and flexibility of the material.Gallium-based room temperature liquid metal alloys have recently been explored to be an emerging functional material. They have attracted particular attentions in a variety of applications due to their unique properties. Many of the applications are based on the precise control over the motion of liquid metal, and yet, the fact that currently lacking the advanced and reliable controlling methods greatly hinders the potential of liquid metal to be applied in a wider range of fields. In this study, an innovative approach is developed to obtain functional liquid metal (FLM) by modifying it with copper-iron magnetic nanoparticles (Cu-Fe NPs). The magnetic modification process enables the Cu-Fe NPs to be suspended within the liquid metal and form the FLM. The FLM exhibits similar appearance, actuating behaviors, and deformability in alkaline solutions to those of pure liquid metal alloys. Meanwhile, the magnetic modification enables the precise and rapid manipulation of the liquid metal using a magnetic field. Most importantly, for the first time, the precise control and climbing locomotion of the FLM is demonstrated with the interworking of both electric and magnetic fields simultaneously. The remarkable features of the FLM may represent vast potentials toward the development of future intelligent soft robots.

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On-demand magnetic manipulation of liquid metal in microfluidic channels for electrical switching applications

Cited by 101 publications

References 27 publications

Liquid Metal–Based Soft Microfluidics

Liquid Metal–Based Soft Microfluidics

Gallium-Based Room-Temperature Liquid Metals: Actuation and Manipulation of Droplets and Flows

Magnetically‐ and Electrically‐Controllable Functional Liquid Metal Droplets

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