BioTech Encyclopedia

Liquid metals (gallium alloys, EGaIn): uses in research

Also: EGaIn, gallium-indium, Galinstan

Some gallium alloys are liquid at room temperature yet conduct like metal, so they can make stretchy wires and soft electronics.

Readiness: lab lab studies · prototype demonstrated objects · commercial products or buildings in real use · review summaries of other studies.

electronics

lab electronics 2008

EGaIn liquid metal

Dickey and colleagues showed eutectic gallium-indium forms a thin skin that lets the liquid hold shapes in tiny channels.

Built / tested: stretchable wires

As reported in: Dickey, Chiechi, Larsen et al. (2008). Eutectic Gallium‐Indium (EGaIn): A Liquid Metal Alloy for the Formation of Stable Structures in Microchannels at Room Temperature. Advanced Functional Materials. doi:10.1002/adfm.200701216

Abstract only

review electronics 2017

Soft electronics with liquid metals

Dickey reviewed stretchable and soft electronics built using liquid metals.

Built / tested: stretchable electronics

As reported in: Dickey (2017). Stretchable and Soft Electronics using Liquid Metals. Advanced Materials. doi:10.1002/adma.201606425

Abstract only