Moving liquid metal marbles

22-May-2013 - Australia

Researchers in Australia have found a new method to induce the controlled movement of liquid metal droplets in aqueous environments, by coating them in nanoparticles to form ‘liquid metal marbles.’

Research shows that coating droplets of liquid metal galinstan with WO3 nanoparticles increases the speed of movement of the droplet in an electrolyte solution on the application of DC voltage, compared to bare liquid metal galinstan droplets. The scientists also showed that movement of the ‘liquid metal marbles’ can be controlled by varying the density of the nanoparticle coating surface coverage, the type of nanoparticle coating, the size of the applied DC voltage and the pH of the electrolyte solution.

This new method for the controlled movement of liquid metals has possible applications in liquid phase electronics, including the assembly of multi-functional electro-mechanical superstructures.

Original publication

Other news from the department science

These products might interest you

NANOPHOX CS

NANOPHOX CS by Sympatec

Particle size analysis in the nano range: Analyzing high concentrations with ease

Reliable results without time-consuming sample preparation

particle analyzers
DynaPro Plate Reader III

DynaPro Plate Reader III by Wyatt Technology

Screening of biopharmaceuticals and proteins with high-throughput dynamic light scattering (DLS)

Efficiently characterize your sample quality and stability from lead discovery to quality control

particle analyzers
Eclipse

Eclipse by Wyatt Technology

FFF-MALS system for separation and characterization of macromolecules and nanoparticles

The latest and most innovative FFF system designed for highest usability, robustness and data quality

Loading...

Most read news

More news from our other portals

All FT-IR spectrometer manufacturers at a glance