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Nanoengineering the composition and morphology of functional nanoparticles endows them to perform multiple tasks and functions. An intriguing strategy for creating multifunctional nanomaterials involves the construction of core–shell nanostructures, which have enabled promising applications in biomedicine, energy, sensing, and catalysis. Here, a straightforward nanoengineering approach is presented utilizing liquid metal nanoparticles and galvanic replacement to create diverse core–shell nanostructures. Controlled nanostructures including liquid metal core‐gold nanoparticle shell (LM@Au), gold nanoparticle core‐gallium oxide shell (Au@Ga oxide), and hollow Ga oxide nanoparticles are successfully fabricated. Remarkably, these investigations reveal that LM@Au exhibits exceptional photothermal performance, achieving an impressive conversion efficiency of 65.9%, which is five times that of gold nanoparticles. By leveraging the high photothermal conversion efficiency and excellent biocompatibility of LM@Au, its promising application in hyperthermia cancer therapy is demonstrated. This simple yet powerful nanoengineering strategy opens new avenues for the controlled synthesis of complex core–shell nanostructures, advancing various fields beyond biomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlike conventional microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), machines based on gallium liquid metal alloys rely on Marangoni flows to induce motion without mechanical moving parts. Despite this advantage, currently developed liquid metal enabled robotic systems still need the locomotion of liquid metal droplets, thereby generating weak actuating forces and limiting their manoeuvrability. Here, a liquid metal engine (LME) is created to work as a jet thruster to continuously power a robot boat without the need of locomotion. In addition, the engine is electrically driven by surface tension without any mechanical moving parts. The structural design and the parameters of operation of the LME are investigated and optimized. Finally, the manipulation of the LME using a motor control unit is demonstrated for driving an untethered robot boat to realize complex locomotion with the precise control over the direction and speed. Thus, this LME could offer new opportunities for developing high‐performance liquid metal machines to power robotic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the use of an acoustic field to help connect individual Gallium-based liquid metals (GaLM) microdroplets embedded in polymer. Topics discussed include factors that hinder the implementation of GaLMs by the electronics industry and ways to improve interactions between GaLMs and polymer matrices.

Microdroplets of gallium-based liquid metal alloys have enabled various applications in the fields of biomedicine, electronics, and chemistry. However, due to the high surface tension of liquid metal, high-throughput production of uniformly sized liquid metal microdroplets is challenging using conventional acoustic or microfluidic methods. Here, adapting the submerged electrodispersion technique that has conventionally been used for generating water-based microdroplets, we develop a simple and straightforward platform for the high-throughput production of near-monodisperse (coefficient of variation less than 5%) liquid metal microdroplets in oil without using microfluidic devices. We demonstrate the capabilities of this method for producing liquid metal microdroplets (diameters ranging from tens to hundreds of micrometers) and introduce a spinning disk to induce a flow of oil phase for preventing the coalescence of the microdroplets. The simplicity and remarkable abilities demonstrated for this method may pave the path for the development of future innovative applications based on liquid metal microdroplets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid metals based on gallium, such as eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn) and Galinstan, have been integrated as static components in microfluidic systems for a wide range of applications including soft electrodes, pumps, and stretchable electronics. However, there is also a possibility to continuously pump liquid metal into microchannels to create shape reconfigurable metallic structures. Enabling this concept necessitates a simple method to control dynamically the path the metal takes through branched microchannels with multiple outlets. This paper demonstrates a novel method for controlling the directional flow of EGaIn liquid metal in complex microfluidic networks by simply applying a low voltage to the metal. According to the polarity of the voltage applied between the inlet and an outlet, two distinct mechanisms can occur. The voltage can lower the interfacial tension of the metal via electrocapillarity to facilitate the flow of the metal towards outlets containing counter electrodes. Alternatively, the voltage can drive surface oxidation of the metal to form a mechanical impediment that redirects the movement of the metal towards alternative pathways. Thus, the method can be employed like a ‘valve’ to direct the pathway chosen by the metal without mechanical moving parts. The paper elucidates the operating mechanisms of this valving system and demonstrates proof-of-concept control over the flow of liquid metal towards single or multiple directions simultaneously. This method provides a simple route to direct the flow of liquid metal for applications in microfluidics, optics, electronics, and microelectromechanical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patterning customized arrays of microscale Galinstan or EGaIn liquid metals enables the creation of a variety of microfabricated systems. Current techniques for creating microsized 3D structures of liquid metals are limited by the large dimension or low aspect ratio of such structures, and time-consuming processes. Here, a novel technique for creating 3D microstructures of Galinstan using dielectrophoresis is introduced. The presented technique enables the rapid creation of Galinstan microstructures with various dimensions and aspect ratios. Two series of proof-of-concept experiments are conducted to demonstrate the capabilities of this technique. First, the 3D Galinstan microstructures are utilized as 3D microelectrodes to enhance the trapping of tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanoparticles flowing through a microfluidic channel. Second, the patterned Galinstan microstructures are utilized as microfins to improve the dissipation of heat within a microfluidic channel that is located onto a hot spot. The presented technique can be readily used for creating customized arrays of 3D Galinstan microstructures for a wide range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chaotic advection plays an important role in microplatforms for a variety of applications. Currently used mechanisms for inducing chaotic advection in small scale, however, are limited by their complicated fabrication processes and relatively high power consumption. Here, a soft actuator is reported which utilizes a droplet of Galinstan liquid metal to induce harmonic Marangoni flow at the surface of liquid metal when activated by a sinusoidal signal. This liquid metal actuator has no rigid parts and employs continuous electrowetting effect to induce chaotic advection with exceptionally low power consumption. The theory behind the operation of this actuator is developed and validated via a series of experiments. The presented actuator can be readily integrated into other microfluidic components for a wide range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconducting properties of nanoparticle coating on liquid metal marbles can present opportunities for an additional dimension of control on these soft objects with functional surfaces in aqueous environments. We show the unique differences in the electrochemical actuation mechanisms of liquid metal marbles with n- and p-type semiconducting nanomaterial coating. A systematic study on such liquid metal marbles shows voltage dependent nanoparticle cluster formation and morphological changes of the liquid metal core during electrochemical actuations and these observations are unique to p-type nanomaterial coated liquid metal marbles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active droplets play important roles in microfluidics, robotics, and micro-electromechanical systems. As a special class of active droplets that are conductive, reactive, and of high surface tension, liquid metal droplets (LMDs) can be driven by electric-field-induced surface (Marangoni) flows to function as reconfigurable components in actuators, sensors, catalytic reactors, and antennas. Stimulating LMDs using an electric field induces concurrent electro-hydrodynamic flows and electrochemical surface oxidation (passivation). It is however difficult to decouple these two effects which brings complexity in controlling LMD motions. To address this challenge, pulse time modulation (PTM) signals are used. PTM enables controlled LMD displacement by propelling the droplets forward during the voltage-on phases and facilitating surface recovery from oxidation during the voltage-off phases. Counterintuitively, by taking such intermittent "rests", the LMDs effectively inhibit the unfavorable impact of oxidation, granting high motion controllability. Combining high-speed imaging, motion tracking, machine learning, and electrochemical analysis, the study reveals how electro-hydrodynamic flows and surface oxide formation/dissolution interplay to generate well-defined motion regimes. The study further develops a quasi-analytical model to describe droplet motions and designs a rotary LMD motor to showcase the versatility of the approach. This work provides the fundamental framework and viable strategy for designing innovative liquid metal-based systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional liquid metal nanoparticles (NPs), produced from eutectic alloys of gallium, promise new horizons in the fields of sensors, microfluidics, flexible electronics, catalysis, and biomedicine. Here, the development of a vapor cavity generating ultrasonic platform for nebulizing liquid metal within aqueous media for the one‐step production of stable and functional liquid metal NPs is shown. The size distribution of the NPs is fully characterized and it is demonstrated that various macro and small molecules can also be grafted onto these liquid metal NPs during the liquid‐based nebulization process. The cytotoxicity of the NPs grafted with different molecules is further explored. Moreover, it is shown that it is possible to control the thickness of the oxide layer on the produced NPs using electrochemistry that can be embedded within the platform. It is envisaged that this platform can be adapted as a cost‐effective and versatile device for the rapid production of functional liquid metal NPs for future liquid metal‐based optical, electronic, catalytic, and biomedical applications. An ultrasonic platform for nebulizing liquid metal within aqueous media is developed to achieve one‐step production of stable and functional liquid metal nanoparticles grafted with different molecules. This platform is able to control the thickness of the oxide layer on the produced nanoparticles using embedded electrochemical components. The demonstrated technique may enable future liquid metal‐based electronic, catalytic, and biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetorheological fluid (MRF) has shown its great potential in the development of large mechanical devices, such as dampers, shock absorbers, rotary brakes, clutches, and prosthetic joints. Recently, more research focus has been invested on using MRF to develop soft, stretchable, and miniaturized devices with variable stiffness for realizing functionalities that cannot be achieved using solid smart materials. Here, based on liquid metal magnetoactive slurries (LMMS), a variable stiffness wire with excellent electrical conductivity is demonstrated. Without exposure to a magnetic field, the LMMS wire has an extremely low stiffness, and can be easily stretched while maintaining an excellent electrical conductivity. When applying a magnetic field, the wire becomes much stiffer and can retain its shape even under a load. The combination of properties of flexibility, high electrical conductivity, and variable stiffness of the wire is harnessed to make a flexible gripper that can grasp objects of various shapes. Moreover, by using gallium instead of its liquid metal alloys, the tunable stiffness range of the LMMS wire is significantly enhanced and can be controlled using both external magnetic fields and temperature-induced phase change. The presented LMMS wire has the potential to be applied in flexible electronics, soft robotics and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to control interfacial tension electrochemically is uniquely available for liquid metals (LMs), in particular gallium‐based LM alloys. This imparts them with excellent locomotion and deformation capabilities and enables diverse applications. However, electrochemical oxidation of LM is a highly dynamic process, which often induces Marangoni instabilities that make it almost impossible to elongate LM and manipulate its morphology directly and precisely on a 2D plane without the assistance of other patterning methods. To overcome these limitations, this study investigates the use of an LM–iron (Fe) particle mixture that is capable of suppressing instabilities during the electrochemical oxidation process, thereby allowing for superelongation of the LM core of the mixture to form a thin wire that is tens of times of its original length. More importantly, the elongated LM core can be manipulated freely on a 2D plane to form complex patterns. Eliminating Marangoni instabilities also allows for the effective spreading and filling of the LM–Fe mixture into molds with complex structures and small features. Harnessing these excellent abilities, a channel‐less patterning method for fabricating elastomeric wearable sensors is demonstrated to detect motions. This study shows the potential for developing functional and flexible structures of LM with superior performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gallium (Ga) and Ga-based liquid metal (LM) alloys offer low toxicity, excellent electrical and thermal conductivities, and fluidity at or near room temperature. Ga-based LM particles (LMPs) synthesized from these LMs exhibit both fluidic and metallic properties and are suitable for versatile functionalization in therapeutics. Functionalized Ga-based LMPs can be actuated using physical or chemical stimuli for drug delivery, cancer treatment, bioimaging, and biosensing. However, many of the fundamentals of their unique characteristics for therapeutics remain underexplored. We present the most recent advances in Ga-based LMPs in therapeutics based on the underlying mechanisms of their design and implementation. We also highlight some future biotechnological opportunities for Ga-based LMPs based on their extraordinary advantages. The surface tension of gallium (Ga)-based liquid metals (LMs) can be broken using mechanical and chemical means, and smaller Ga-based LM particles (LMPs) can be constructed. Ga-based LMPs offer both fluidic and metallic cores and peculiar interfacial properties, which differ fundamentally from the properties of solid metal particles. Ga-based LMPs hold great potential for therapeutics. Functionalized Ga-based LMPs can be designed and activated for drug delivery, cancer treatment, bioimaging, and biosensing on stimulation by light, electromagnetic fields, mechanical means, or chemical reactions. Fundamental understanding of the effects of Ga-based LMPs' surface oxides, their interactions with cells and their organelles, and their specific alloy composition with other elements should be further explored to expand the horizons of therapeutics using LMPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biopotential signals, like electrocardiography (ECG), electromyography (EMG), and electroencephalography (EEG), can help diagnose cardiological, musculoskeletal and neurological disorders. Dry silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrodes are commonly used to obtain these signals. While a conductive hydrogel can be added to Ag/AgCl electrodes to improve the contact and adhesion between the electrode and the skin, dry electrodes are prone to movement. Considering that the conductive hydrogel dries over time, the use of these electrodes often creates an imbalanced skin-electrode impedance and a number of sensing issues in the front-end analogue circuit. This issue can be extended to several other electrode types that are commonly in use, in particular, for applications with a need for long-term wearable monitoring such as ambulatory epilepsy monitoring. Liquid metal alloys, such as eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn), can address key critical requirements around consistency and reliability but present challenges on low viscosity and the risk of leakage. To solve these problems, here, we demonstrate the use of a non-eutectic Ga–In alloy as a shear-thinning non-Newtonian fluid to offer superior performance to commercial hydrogel electrodes, dry electrodes, and conventional liquid metals for electrography measurements. This material has high viscosity when still and can flow like a liquid metal when sheared, preventing leakage while allowing the effective fabrication of electrodes. Moreover, the Ga–In alloy not only has good biocompatibility but also offers an outstanding skin-electrode interface, allowing for the long-term acquisition of high-quality biosignals. The presented Ga–In alloy is a superior alternative to conventional electrode materials for real-world electrography or bioimpedance measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous lab-on-a-chip applications benefit from channels with complex structures and configurations in the areas of tissue engineering and clinical diagnostics. The current fabrication approaches require time-consuming, complicated processes and bulky, expensive facilities. In this work, we propose a novel method for the fabrication of complex channels with the assistance of amalgamation of liquid metal with copper tape. This new technique enables the rapid fabrication of liquid metal molds with various dimensions and diverse structures. Two proof-of-concept experiments were conducted to verify the utilization of this method. First, the channel replicated from the liquid metal mold is used to enhance the mixing performance of liquids flowing through the channel. Second, a channel with a semicircular cross-section is fabricated to achieve 3D focusing in a simple way. This proposed technique can be readily used for fabricating complex channels for a wide range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro scale liquid metal droplets have been hailed as the potential key building blocks of future micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). However, most of the current liquid metal enabled systems involve millimeter scale droplets, which are manually injected onto the desired locations of the microchip. Despite its simplicity, this method is impractical for patterning large arrays or complex systems based on micro scale droplets. Here, we present a microfluidic chip, which integrates continuous generation of micro scale galinstan droplets in glycerol, and the hydrodynamic transfer of these droplets into sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. Observation via high-speed imaging along with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis are utilised to comprehend the lateral migration of droplets from the glycerol to NaOH fluid. This platform is simple, can be readily integrated into other microfluidic systems, and creates flexibility by separating the continuous phase for droplet generation from the eventual target carrier fluid within a monolithic chip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. An innovative electrochemistry‐assisted method for obtaining functional liquid metal (FLM) by modifying Galinstan with copper–iron magnetic nanoparticles is proposed. The FLM exhibits similar appearance, fluidity, and deformability as liquid metal without modification. Most importantly, the magnetic modification allows the precise control and climbing locomotion of the FLM with the interworking of both electric and magnetic fields simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]