Architected liquid metal networks and processes of making and using same
AssigneeGovernment of the United States as Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
InventorsCarl J. Thrasher, Christopher E. Tabor, Zachary J. Farrell, Nicholas J. Morris, Michelle Ching-Sum Yuen
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Abstract
The present invention relates to architected liquid metal networks and processes of making and using same. The predetermined template design technology of such architected liquid metal networks provides the desired spatial control of electrical, electromagnetic, and thermal properties as a function of strain. Thus, resulting in improved overall performance including process ability.
Claims22
An article comprising a substrate having an average particle attachment strength of from about 2.8 micro-newtons to about 1 newton and a strain at failure of from about 5% to about 10,000%;
- and a plurality of encapsulates comprising a liquid metal core having an external surface, a metal oxide shell that encapsulates said liquid metal core, said shell having an external shell surface;
- and optionally one or more ligands and/or multi-functional ligands covalently bound to said shell's external surface and/or coordinatively bound to said liquid metal core's external surface:
- a) said liquid metal core comprising a liquid metal selected from the group consisting of Hg, Pb, Sn, Sb, Cd, Bi, Ga, In, Al, Zn, Ag, Au, Tl and mixtures thereof;
- b) said shell comprising a metal oxide comprising a cation derived from a metal selected from the group consisting of Ga, In, Sn, Pb, Sb, Cd, Al, Zn, TI, Bi, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Te, Gd, Hf, Pr, Nd, Pt, Sm, Eu, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Pu and mixtures thereof;
- and
- c) said one or more ligands comprising a head group that comprises a material selected from the group consisting of thiols, amines, phosphonic acids, alkoxysilanes, halosilanes, carboxylic acids, nitriles, and mixtures thereof;
- d) said one or more multi-functional ligands comprising a head group that comprises a material selected from the group consisting of thiols, amines, phosphonic acids, alkoxysilanes, halosilanes, carboxylic acids, nitriles, and mixtures thereof.
A trace comprising a liquid metal, a porous medium comprising a plurality of solid particulates, and a casing that encases said liquid metal and said porous medium comprising a plurality of solid particulates, at least a portion of said casing having a strain at failure of from about 5% to about 10,000%;
- a) said liquid metal being selected from the group consisting of Hg, Pb, Sn, Sb, Cd, Bi, Ga, In, Al, Zn, Ag, Au, Tl and mixtures thereof;
- b) said plurality of solid particulates comprising a material selected from the group consisting of polymers, ceramics, metals, non-metallic allotropes and mixtures thereof;
- c) said casing comprising a material selected from the group consisting of polymers, ceramics, metals, non-metallic allotropes and mixtures thereof;
- d) with the provisos that:
- (i) when said liquid metal and plurality of solid particulates comprises between about 59.0% to about 99.9% liquid metal by weight, said liquid metal and plurality of solid particulates comprises between about 0% to about 0.08% gallium oxide by weight or between about 2.2% to about 95% gallium oxide by weight;
- (ii) when said liquid metal and plurality of solid particulates comprises between about 0.1% to about 2% gallium oxide by weight, said liquid metal and plurality of solid particulates comprises between about 5% to about 55% liquid metal by weight.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.