Method and structure for a solid slug caterpillar piezoelectric relay

A structure for an electrical switch using a plurality of piezoelectric elements, comprising:

• a cap layer;
• a piezoelectric layer coupled to the cap layer;
• a circuit substrate layer coupled to the piezoelectric layer;
• and
• a gas-filled chamber coupled to one or more of the piezoelectric layer, cap layer and circuit substrate layer, wherein the gas-filled chamber further comprises the plurality of piezoelectric elements, a plurality of contacts, a slug coupled to one or more of the plurality of contacts and coupled to one or more of the plurality of piezoelectric elements, and a liquid metal coupled to the slug, and coupled to the plurality of contacts.

A method for electrical switching of one or more electrical signals using a liquid metal switch, comprising:

• actuating one or more of a plurality of piezoelectric elements;
• the actuation of the one or more piezoelectric elements causing a slug coupled to the one or more piezoelectric elements to move from a first number of contacts to a second number of contacts wherein the first number of contacts and the second number of contacts are wetted by a liquid metal;
• and
• the movement of the slug from the first number of contacts to the second number of contacts breaking a liquid metal surface tension between the slug and the first number of contacts and establishing a coupling between the slug and the second number of contacts, thereby enabling the liquid metal switch to change from a first state to a second state.