Liquid metal oxide composites as a source of electrochemical energy and uses thereof

A stretchable battery device, comprising:

• a composite emulsion comprising a plurality of liquid metal droplets dispersed in at least one of an ionically-conductive liquid or an ionically conductive polymer;
• a flexible, stretchable enclosure encapsulating the composite emulsion;
• and
• at least two electrodes embedded within the composite emulsion, wherein at least one electrode is configured to move relative to the composite emulsion upon mechanical deformation of the enclosure such that the movement ruptures oxide layers on the liquid metal droplets and generates electrical energy.

A self-powered sensor device, comprising:

• a composite emulsion comprising liquid metal droplets dispersed in an ionically-conductive liquid or an ionically-conductive polymer;
• a flexible enclosure containing the composite emulsion;
• and
• at least one rigid electrode embedded within the composite emulsion and configured such that mechanical input to the enclosure causes the electrode to rupture oxide layers on the liquid metal droplets, thereby generating a transient electrical signal in response to the mechanical input.

A composite material for electrochemical energy generation, comprising:

• a plurality of liquid metal;
• an ionically-conductive liquid or ionically conductive polymer in which the liquid metal or polymer droplets are dispersed;
• and
• fumed silica particles present in an amount sufficient to stabilize the dispersion of the liquid metal droplets within the ionically-conductive liquid, wherein the composite material is configured to generate electrical energy upon mechanical rupture of oxide layers on the liquid metal droplets.

A method of fabricating a stretchable battery, comprising:

• preparing a composite emulsion by mixing liquid metal, an ionically-conductive liquid, and fumed silica particles to form a stabilized dispersion of liquid metal droplets;
• enclosing the composite emulsion within a flexible, stretchable polymeric enclosure;
• and
• embedding at least two electrodes within the composite emulsion, wherein the electrodes are positioned such that mechanical deformation of the enclosure causes at least one electrode to rupture oxide layers on the liquid metal droplets, thereby enabling electrochemical energy generation.