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Ye J, Xiang W, Cheng C, Bao W, Zhang Q. Principles and methods of liquid metal actuators. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:2196-2211. [PMID: 38372963 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01756g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
As a promising material, liquid metals (LMs) have gained considerable interest in the field of soft robotics due to their ability to move as designed routines or change their shape dramatically under external stimuli. Inspired by the science fiction film Terminator, tremendous efforts have been devoted to liquid robots with high compliance and intelligence. How to manipulate LM droplets is crucial to achieving this goal. Accordingly, this review is dedicated to presenting the principles driving LMs and summarizing the potential methods to develop LM actuators of high maneuverability. Moreover, the recent progress of LM robots based on these methods is overviewed. The challenges and prospects of implementing autonomous robots have been proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Ye
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, 430205, China.
| | - Wentao Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Cryogenic Science and Technology, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Cai Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Cryogenic Science and Technology, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wendi Bao
- Key Laboratory of Cryogenic Science and Technology, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cryogenic Science and Technology, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Engineering Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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2
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Exley T, Hays E, Johnson D, Moridani A, Motati R, Jafari A. Toward a Unified Naming Scheme for Thermo-Active Soft Actuators: A Review of Materials, Working Principles, and Applications. ROBOTICS REPORTS (NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.) 2024; 2:15-28. [PMID: 38584677 PMCID: PMC10996867 DOI: 10.1089/rorep.2023.0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Soft robotics is a rapidly growing field that spans the fields of chemistry, materials science, and engineering. Due to the diverse background of the field, there have been contrasting naming schemes such as "intelligent," "smart," and "adaptive" materials, which add vagueness to the broad innovation among literature. Therefore, a clear, functional, and descriptive naming scheme is proposed in which a previously vague name-Soft Material for Soft Actuators-can remain clear and concise-Phase-Change Elastomers for Artificial Muscles. By synthesizing the working principle, material, and application into a naming scheme, the searchability of soft robotics can be enhanced and applied to other fields. The field of thermo-active soft actuators spans multiple domains and requires added clarity. Thermo-active actuators have potential for a variety of applications spanning virtual reality haptics to assistive devices. This review offers a comprehensive guide to selecting the type of thermo-active actuator when one has an application in mind. In addition, it discusses future directions and improvements that are necessary for implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Exley
- Advanced Robotic Manipulators (ARM) Lab, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Emilly Hays
- Advanced Robotic Manipulators (ARM) Lab, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Daniel Johnson
- Advanced Robotic Manipulators (ARM) Lab, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Arian Moridani
- Advanced Robotic Manipulators (ARM) Lab, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Ramya Motati
- Advanced Robotic Manipulators (ARM) Lab, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Amir Jafari
- Advanced Robotic Manipulators (ARM) Lab, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
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3
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Jiang Q, Hu Z, Wu K, Wu W, Zhang S, Ding H, Wu Z. Squid-Inspired Powerful Untethered Soft Pumps via Magnetically Induced Phase Transitions. Soft Robot 2023. [PMID: 38011800 DOI: 10.1089/soro.2022.0118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft robots possess unique deformability and hence result in great adaptability to various unconstructive environments; meanwhile, untethered soft actuation techniques are critical in fully exploiting their potential for practical applications. However, restricted by the material's softness and structural compliance, most untethered actuation systems were incapable of achieving fully soft construction with a powerful output. While in Nature, with a fully soft body, a squid can burst high-pressure jet flow from a cavity that drives the squid to swim swiftly. Here, inspired by such a unique actuation strategy of squids, an entirely soft pump capable of high-pressure output, fast jetting, and untethered control is presented, and it helps a bionic soft robotic squid to achieve a high-efficient untethered motion in water. The soft pump is designed by a reversible liquid-gas phase transition of an inductive heating magnetic liquid metal composite that acts as an adjustable power source with high heat efficiency. In particular, being purely soft, the pump can yet lift ∼20 times its weight and achieve ∼3 times the specific pressure of the previous record. It may promote the application of soft robots with independent actuation, high output power, and embodied energy supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhitong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kefan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenjun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Han Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhigang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Yan S, Yuan Q, Wu J, Jia Z. A free-standing, phase-change liquid metal mold for 3D flexible microfluidics. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1094294. [PMID: 36545676 PMCID: PMC9760860 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1094294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper describes a method to fabricate the 3D microfluidic channel using the free-standing, phase-change gallium mold. Three approaches to prepare the free-standing gallium molds are described. The solid metal framework is strong enough to stand against the gravity. After casting, the embedded gallium molds are melted from solid to liquid and then extracted from the encasing elastomer to form the 3D microfluidic channel due to the phase change property. Since this method is compatible with many encasing materials (e.g., elastomers, gels, resins, ceramics), the encasing materials will bring novel functionalities to the microfluidic chip. Two proof-of-concept experiments have been demonstrated. Firstly, a soft, sticky, on-skin microfluidic cooler is developed based on this method to deliver the focused, minimal invasive cooling power at arbitrary skins of human body with temperature control. Secondly, an ultra-stretchable viscoelastic microchannel with the ultra-soft base is fabricated to continuously tune the viscoelastic particle focusing with a large dynamic range. This proposed technique suggests the new possibilities for the development of lab-on-a-chip applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Yan
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China,*Correspondence: Sheng Yan,
| | - Qingwei Yuan
- Nanophotonics Research Center, Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jialin Wu
- Nanophotonics Research Center, Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zixuan Jia
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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Kapłon T, Milecki A. Research on the Use of Silicon-Ethanol Composite in Actuators. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:8570. [PMID: 36500065 PMCID: PMC9736667 DOI: 10.3390/ma15238570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Silicon-ethanol is a relatively new smart composite in the category of phase-change materials (PCM). It consists of liquid ethanol entrapped in bubbles spread into a silicone rubber matrix, i.e., during cooling. The composite is able to expand significantly when heat is applied and shrink when it is removed. The properties of this material can be used in a new type of actuator. In this paper, the basic equations that describe the properties of actuators with a silicon-ethanol composite are given. Using them, two solutions of unidirectional actuators with a composite inserted into polycarbonate tubes and metal bellows are designed and investigated. In the study, actuators with different geometric dimensions and applied composite volumes are investigated. The elongations of the actuators and the blocking forces are measured. The theoretical relationships given at the beginning of the paper that describe the properties of the composite are validated using the performed experimental results of the built actuators. The tube actuators achieved elongation between 32% and 35% at a temperature of 75 degrees Celsius, that is, less than that predicted according to equations from earlier publications. Due to this, a modified equation that includes the influence of friction was proposed and compared with experimental results. The performance of the tube actuator deteriorates rapidly. In the case of bellow actuators, they stabilize after a few cycles of heating and cooling.
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Hyun Y, Lee JB, Chung S, Kim D. Acoustic Wave-Driven Liquid Metal Expansion. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13050685. [PMID: 35630152 PMCID: PMC9142988 DOI: 10.3390/mi13050685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we report a volume expansion phenomenon of a liquid metal droplet naturally oxidized in an ambient environment by applying an acoustic wave. An oxidized gallium-based liquid metal droplet was placed on a paper towel, and a piezo-actuator was attached underneath it. When a liquid metal droplet was excited by acoustic wave, the volume of liquid metal was expanded due to the inflow of air throughout the oxide crack. The liquid metal without the oxide layer cannot be expanded with an applied acoustic wave. To confirm the effect of the expansion of the oxidized liquid metal droplet, we measured an expansion ratio, which was calculated by comparing the expanded size in the x (horizontal), y (vertical) axis to the initial size of the liquid metal droplet, using a high-speed camera. For various volumes of the droplet, when we applied various voltages in the range of 5~8 Vrms with 18.5~24.5 kHz using the piezo-actuator, we obtained a maximum expansion ratio of 2.4 in the x axis and 3.8 in the y axis, respectively. In addition, we investigated that the time to reach the maximum expansion in proportion to the volume size of liquid metal differed by five times from 4 s to 20 s, and that the time to maintain the maximum expansion differed from 23 s to 2.5 s, which was inversely proportional to the volume size. We also investigated the expansion ratios depending on the exposure time to the atmosphere. Finally, a circuit containing LED, which can be turned on by expanded liquid metal droplet, was demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngbin Hyun
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Myongji University, Yongin 120-728, Korea;
| | - Jeong-Bong Lee
- Department of Electrical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA;
| | - Sangkug Chung
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Myongji University, Yongin 120-728, Korea;
- Correspondence: (S.C.); (D.K.)
| | - Daeyoung Kim
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Korea Army Academy at Yeongcheon, Yeongcheon 770-849, Korea
- Correspondence: (S.C.); (D.K.)
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Linear Drive Based on Silicon/Ethanol Composite. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13162668. [PMID: 34451209 PMCID: PMC8401049 DOI: 10.3390/polym13162668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The paper presents a concept of an actuator, based on a silicon/ethanol composite placed in the brass bellows. Such actuator is operating based on a change in the physical state of ethanol, which is enclosed in bubbles surrounded by a matrix of silicone rubber. In this paper, the prototype of the actuator is described, and a series of its test results, in the open and closed loops, are presented. Two laser distance-sensors, with different accuracies, were used as a source of the feedback signal. During the investigations the temperature of the actuator was also measured. This has allowed us to determine the delay in heat flow from the heater to the composite. In the closed loop, P- and PI-type controllers were used in the drive positioning experiments. It was discovered that in the closed loop control, it was possible to achieve a positioning error of less than 200 µm. During the tests, the temperature inside the drive and the ambient temperature were also measured. In order to improve the dynamics of the drive, a small fan was used, controlled by the automation system. It allowed us to shorten the time to return the drive to its starting position. The results of frequency tests of the drive have also been presented.
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He J, Liang S, Li F, Yang Q, Huang M, He Y, Fan X, Wu M. Recent Development in Liquid Metal Materials. ChemistryOpen 2021; 10:360-372. [PMID: 33656291 PMCID: PMC7953469 DOI: 10.1002/open.202000330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid metals (LM) have shown a very broad development prospect over the past decades. This review article focuses on the latest research dedicated to liquid metal materials and their applications in five significant areas: stretchable conductive composite, intelligent sensing electronic skin, catalysis, 3D printing material, and driving machines. The fabrication, specific properties and application of stretchable liquid metal-polymer composites that can be used as self-healing materials have been summarized. Liquid metal deposition printing technology, liquid phase 3D printing, suspension 3D printing technology, micro-contact printing technology, and in vivo 3D printing molding technology have also been reviewed. Furthermore, the application of liquid metal catalyst in aldehyde reaction, photocatalysis, and electrocatalysis have been discussed. We have shown that electricity, magnetism, sound, light and heat could stimulate the movement of liquid metal. Through this comprehensive overview of the latest research, the main practical application, development, and mechanism of liquid metal were summarized and described. The future development of liquid metal technology was prospected, thus providing a strong basic research support for the further development of LM materials and their applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng He
- College of Chemical and Environmental EngineeringChongqing University of Arts and Sciences YongChuanChongqing402160China
| | - Shuting Liang
- College of Chemical and Environmental EngineeringChongqing University of Arts and Sciences YongChuanChongqing402160China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Environmental Materials & Remediation TechnologiesChongqing University of Arts and Sciences YongChuanChongqing402160China
| | - Fengjiao Li
- Shenzhen Automotive Research InstituteBeijing Institute of TechnologyShenzhen518118China
| | - Qiangbin Yang
- College of Chemical and Environmental EngineeringChongqing University of Arts and Sciences YongChuanChongqing402160China
| | - Mengjun Huang
- College of Chemical and Environmental EngineeringChongqing University of Arts and Sciences YongChuanChongqing402160China
| | - Yu He
- College of Chemical and Environmental EngineeringChongqing University of Arts and Sciences YongChuanChongqing402160China
| | - Xiaona Fan
- College of Chemical and Environmental EngineeringChongqing University of Arts and Sciences YongChuanChongqing402160China
| | - Meilin Wu
- College of Chemical and Environmental EngineeringChongqing University of Arts and Sciences YongChuanChongqing402160China
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Development and Performance Analysis of Pneumatic Soft-Bodied Bionic Actuator. Appl Bionics Biomech 2021; 2021:6623059. [PMID: 33680074 PMCID: PMC7910062 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6623059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The design of a pneumatic soft-bodied bionic actuator derives from the structural characteristics and motion mechanism of biological muscles, combined with the nonlinear hyperelasticity of silica gel, which can improve the mobility and environmental adaptability of soft-bodied bionic robots. Based on Yeoh's second-order constitutive model of silica gel, the deformation analysis model of the actuator is established, and the rationality of the structure design and motion forms of the actuator and the accuracy of the deformation analysis model are verified by using the numerical simulation algorithm. According to the physical model of the pneumatic soft-bodied bionic actuator, the motion and dynamic characteristics of the actuator are tested and analyzed, the curves of motion and dynamic characteristics of the actuator are obtained, and the empirical formula of the bending angle and driving torque of the actuator is fitted out. The results show that the deformation analysis model and numerical simulation method are accurate, and the pneumatic soft-bodied bionic actuator is feasible and effective, which can provide a design method and reference basis for the research and implementation of soft-bodied bionic robot actuator.
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Li J, Sun M, Wu Z. Design and Fabrication of a Low-Cost Silicone and Water-Based Soft Actuator with a High Load-to-Weight Ratio. Soft Robot 2020; 8:448-461. [PMID: 32833588 DOI: 10.1089/soro.2019.0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional actuators, such as motors as well as hydraulic or pneumatic artificial muscles, demonstrate excessive noise, a heavy weight, and a large size, which limit their practical application in many areas. Therefore, for many decades, scientists have worked to develop new types of silent, small, and light actuators. In this article, a novel soft actuator (actuator3) with a high load-to-weight ratio from silicone and a low-boiling liquid (ethanol: actuator3E or water: actuator3W) is presented and is compared with two actuators (actuator1 and actuator2) fabricated according to a method described in the literature. Compared with actuator1 and actuator2, actuator3 shows a larger volume expansion, output force, and load-to-weight ratio when heated. Owing to the weaker stability and repeatability of actuator3E, many different kinds of applications based on actuator3W are proposed, such as robotic hands and underwater rolling robots with color variations. The experimental results demonstrate that the method proposed in this article may be a viable alternative for fabricating low-cost soft actuators with high load-to-weight ratios that can be useful for future applications of soft robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Li
- School of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Minjie Sun
- School of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zuqi Wu
- School of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China
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11
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Bilodeau RA, Mohammadi Nasab A, Shah DS, Kramer-Bottiglio R. Uniform conductivity in stretchable silicones via multiphase inclusions. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:5827-5839. [PMID: 32347290 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00383b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Many soft robotic components require highly stretchable, electrically conductive materials for proper operation. Often these conductive materials are used as sensors or as heaters for thermally responsive materials. However, there is a scarcity of stretchable materials that can withstand the high strains typically experienced by soft robots, while maintaining the electrical properties necessary for Joule heating (e.g., uniform conductivity). In this work, we present a silicone composite containing both liquid and solid inclusions that can maintain a uniform conductivity while experiencing 200% linear strains. This composite can be cast in thin sheets enabling it to be wrapped around thermally responsive soft materials that increase their volume or stretchability when heated. We show how this material opens up possibilities for electrically controllable shape changing soft robotic actuators, as well as all-silicone actuation systems powered only by electrical stimulus. Additionally, we show that this stretchable composite can be used as an electrode material in other applications, including a strain sensor with a linear response up to 200% strain and near-zero signal noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Adam Bilodeau
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale University, 9 Hillhouse Ave., New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
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Zhu L, Wang B, Handschuh-Wang S, Zhou X. Liquid Metal-Based Soft Microfluidics. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1903841. [PMID: 31573755 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201903841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
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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Affiliation(s)
- Lifei Zhu
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
- Guangdong Laboratory of ArtificialIntelligence and Digital Economy (SZ), Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Ben Wang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Stephan Handschuh-Wang
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Xuechang Zhou
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
- Guangdong Laboratory of ArtificialIntelligence and Digital Economy (SZ), Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
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Abstract
The present editorial paper analyzes the hundred recent research works on soft actuation to understand the current main research focus in the light of the grand challenges in the field. Two characteristic paper types were obtained: one focuses on soft actuator design, manufacturing and demonstration, while another includes in addition the development of functional materials. Although vast majority of the works showcased soft actuation, evaluation of its robustness by multi-cyclic actuation was reported in less than 50% of the works, while only 10% described successful actuation for more than 1000 cycles. It is suggested that broadening the research focus to include investigation of mechanisms underlying the degradation of soft functional material performance in real cyclic actuation conditions, along with application of artificial intelligence methods for prediction of muscle behavior, may allow overcoming the reliability issues and developing robust soft-material actuators. The outcomes of the present work might be applicable to the entire soft robotics domain.
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Cui Y, Liang F, Ji C, Xu S, Wang H, Lin Z, Liu J. Discoloration Effect and One-Step Synthesis of Hydrogen Tungsten and Molybdenum Bronze (H x MO 3) using Liquid Metal at Room Temperature. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:7428-7435. [PMID: 31459839 PMCID: PMC6648284 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b00840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents a new route to one-step fabrication and in situ application of hydrogen tungsten and molybdenum bronze (H x MO3) at room temperature and triggers the interdisciplinary research of multifunctional materials between liquid metal and transition-metal oxides (TMOs). Gallium-based liquid metal (GBLM) enables the discoloration effect on TMOs in acid electrolytes at ambient temperature. The underlying mechanism behind this phenomenon can be ascribed to the redox effect at the interface of liquid metal and TMOs in acid electrolytes. Both the theoretical calculations and the experimental results demonstrate that the increasing intercalation of H+ ions into the lattice of WO3 raises the electron density at the Fermi level and charge carriers. H+ ion content in the obtained H x MO3 can be controlled in our approach to meet different requirements. Taking advantage of the one-step fabrication and room-temperature liquid phase nature of the liquid metal, H x MO3 is synthesized under ambient conditions in a very short time, which is inaccessible with conventional solution-processed mechanical alloying, or other methods. The H x MO3 obtained in this one-step approach enables convenient and simple applications for biomimetic camouflage, cost-effective energy storage, H+ ion sensor, and electronic switch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuntao Cui
- CAS
Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics
and Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering, Technical
Institute of Physics and Chemistry, and CAS Key Laboratory Functional Crystals
and Laser Technology, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Fei Liang
- CAS
Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics
and Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering, Technical
Institute of Physics and Chemistry, and CAS Key Laboratory Functional Crystals
and Laser Technology, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Cheng Ji
- Physics Department and School of Future
Technology, University of Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shuo Xu
- CAS
Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics
and Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering, Technical
Institute of Physics and Chemistry, and CAS Key Laboratory Functional Crystals
and Laser Technology, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Physics Department and School of Future
Technology, University of Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hongzhang Wang
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zheshuai Lin
- CAS
Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics
and Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering, Technical
Institute of Physics and Chemistry, and CAS Key Laboratory Functional Crystals
and Laser Technology, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jing Liu
- CAS
Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics
and Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering, Technical
Institute of Physics and Chemistry, and CAS Key Laboratory Functional Crystals
and Laser Technology, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Physics Department and School of Future
Technology, University of Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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