scholarly journals Smooth Transportation of Liquid Metal Droplets in a Microchannel as Detected by a Serially Arranged Capacitive Device

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Konishi ◽  
Yuugo Kakehi ◽  
Fuminari Mori ◽  
Shinji Bono
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Metal ◽  
Electric Conductivity ◽  
Liquid Metals ◽  
Microfluidic Devices ◽  
Cylindrical Shape ◽  
Flexible Devices ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
Oxide Skin ◽  
Patterned Electrodes ◽  
Gallium Alloy

Abstract Gallium alloy liquid metals (Ga-LMs) possessing fluidity, electric conductivity, and low toxicity are attractive for use in flexible devices and microfluidic devices. However, the oxide skin of Ga-LMs in the atmosphere adheres to the microchannel surface, preventing the transportation of Ga-LMs in the channel. We introduced liquid with Ga-LMs into a channel with a radius of 500 µm to prevent the oxide skin of the Ga-LM from adhering to the channel. Then, we found that the cylindrical shape of the channel enabled smooth transportation of Ga-LMs independently of both the liquid and the channel material. The liquid introduced with Ga-LMs not only prevents adhesion but also improves the spatial controllability of Ga-LMs in the channel. We can control the position of Ga-LMs with 100 µ m resolution using highly viscous (> 10 cSt) liquid. In addition, we combined the microchannel with patterned electrodes, fabricating a serially arranged capacitive device. The local capacitance detected by the patterned electrodes changed by more than 6 % via the smooth transportation of Ga-LMs. The analysis results based on an equivalent circuit quantitatively agree with our experimental results. We can modulate the serially arranged capacitors using the smooth transportation of Ga-LMs in the channel.

scholarly journals Smooth transportation of liquid metal droplets in a microchannel as detected by a serially arranged capacitive device

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Konishi ◽  
Yugo Kakehi ◽  
Fuminari Mori ◽  
Shinji Bono
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Metal ◽  
Electric Conductivity ◽  
Liquid Metals ◽  
Microfluidic Devices ◽  
Cylindrical Shape ◽  
Flexible Devices ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
Oxide Skin ◽  
Patterned Electrodes ◽  
Gallium Alloy

AbstractGallium alloy liquid metals (Galinstan) possessing fluidity, electric conductivity, and low toxicity are attractive for use in flexible devices and microfluidic devices. However, the oxide skin of Galinstan in the atmosphere adheres to the microchannel surface, preventing the transportation of Galinstan in the channel. To tackle the problem of the adhesion of Galinstan to microchannel, we introduced liquid with Galinstan into a channel with a diameter of 1000 μm. Then, we found that the cylindrical shape of the channel enabled smooth transportation of Galinstan independently of both the liquid and the channel material. The liquid introduced with Galinstan not only prevents adhesion but also improves the spatial controllability of Galinstan in the channel. We can control the position of Galinstan with 100 μm resolution using highly viscous (> 10 cSt) liquid. In addition, we combined the microchannel with patterned electrodes, fabricating a serially arranged capacitive device. The local capacitance detected by the patterned electrodes changed by more than 6% via the smooth transportation of Galinstan. The analysis results based on an equivalent circuit quantitatively agree with our experimental results. We can modulate the serially arranged capacitors using the smooth transportation of Galinstan in the channel.

scholarly journals Gallium Liquid Metal: The Devil's Elixir

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shi-Yang Tang ◽  
Christopher Tabor ◽  
Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh ◽  
Michael D. Dickey
Keyword(s):  
Room Temperature ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Liquid Metals ◽  
Native Oxide ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Mechanical And Electrical Properties ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
Oxide Skin

Gallium is a metal that literally melts in your hand. It has low toxicity, near-zero vapor pressure, and a viscosity similar to water. Despite possessing a surface tension larger than any other liquid (near room temperature), gallium can form nonspherical shapes due to the thin, solid native oxide skin that forms rapidly in oxygen. These properties enable new ways to pattern metals (e.g., injection and printing) to create stretchable and soft devices with an unmatched combination of mechanical and electrical properties. The oxide skin can be transferred to other substrates and manipulated electrochemically to lower the interfacial tension to near zero. The reactivity of gallium can drive a wide range of reactions. Liquids are also easy to break into particles for making colloids and soft composites that have unusual properties due to the deformable nature of the filler. This review summarizes the truly unique and exciting properties of gallium liquid metals. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Materials Science, Volume 51 is August 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Liquid metal-based nanocomposite materials: Fabrication technology and applications

Nanoscale ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroki Ota ◽  
Nyamjargal Ochirkhuyag ◽  
Ryosuke Matsuda ◽  
Zihao Song ◽  
Fumika Nakamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Metal ◽  
Flexible Electronics ◽  
Liquid Metals ◽  
Nanocomposite Materials ◽  
Fabrication Technology

Research on liquid metals has been steadily garnering more interest in recent times because the properties of these metals are conducive to flexible electronics applications; further, these metals are in...

scholarly journals Liquid Metals: Liquid Metal Marbles (Adv. Funct. Mater. 2/2013)

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijay Sivan ◽  
Shi-Yang Tang ◽  
Anthony P. O'Mullane ◽  
Phred Petersen ◽  
Nicky Eshtiaghi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Metal ◽  
Liquid Metals

Unusual Wetting Behavior of Liquid Metals on Porous Layer Formed at Surface of Iron Substrate Prepared by Oxidation-Reduction Process

2007 ◽  
Vol 561-565 ◽  
pp. 1699-1701
Author(s):  
Nobuyuki Takahira ◽  
Takeshi Yoshikawa ◽  
Toshihiro Tanaka
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Metal ◽  
Porous Layer ◽  
Liquid Metals ◽  
Reduction Process ◽  
Surface Oxidation ◽  
Porous Iron ◽  
Normal Contact ◽  
Wetting Behavior ◽  
Oxidation Reduction ◽  
Oxidized Iron

Unusual wetting behavior of liquid Cu was found on a surface-oxidized iron substrate in reducing atmosphere. Liquid Cu wetted and spread very widely on the iron substrate when a droplet was attached with the substrate in Ar-10%H2 after the surface oxidation of the substrate. The oxidationreduction process fabricates a porous layer at the surface of the iron substrate. The pores in the porous iron layer are 3-dimensionally interconnected. Thus, liquid metals, which are contacted with the reduced iron samples, penetrate into these pores by capillary force to cause the unusual wetting behavior. It has been already confirmed that liquid Ag, Sn, In and Bi show this phenomenon onto surface-porous iron samples as well as liquid Cu. This unusual wetting behavior of a liquid metal has been correlated to the normal contact angle of the liquid metal on a flat iron substrate.

Suitability of Eutectic Field’s Metal for Use in an Electromagnetohydrodynamically-Enhanced Experimental Two-Phase Flow Loop

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Lipchitz ◽  
Lilian Laurent ◽  
G. D. Harvel
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Metal ◽  
Two Phase Flow ◽  
Nuclear Reactors ◽  
Liquid Metals ◽  
Metal Flow ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Laboratory Setting ◽  
Flow Loop ◽  
Fast Reactors ◽  
Two Phase

Several Generation IV nuclear reactors, such as sodium fast reactors and lead-bismuth fast reactors, use liquid metal as a coolant. In order to better understand and improve the thermal hydraulics of liquid metal cooled GEN IV nuclear reactors liquid metal flow needs to be studied in experimental circulation loops. Experimental circulation loops are often located in a laboratory setting. However, studying liquid metal two phase flow in laboratory settings can be difficult due to the high temperatures and safety hazards involved with traditional liquid metals such as sodium and lead-bismuth. One solution is to use a low melt metal alloy that is as benign as reasonably achievable. Field’s metal is a eutectic alloy of 51% Indium, 32.5% Bismuth and 16.5% Tin by weight and has a melting point of 335K making it ideal for use in a laboratory setting. A study is undertaken to determine its suitability to use in a two-phase experimental flow loop enhanced by magnetohydrodynamic forces. The study investigated its reactivity with air and water, its ability to be influenced by magnetic fields, its ability to flow, and its ease of manufacture. The experiments melted reference samples of Field’s metal and observed its behaviour in a glass beaker, submerged in water and an inclined stainless steel pipe. Then Field’s metal was manufactured in the laboratory and compared to the sample using the same set of experiments and standards. To determine Field’s metal degree of magnetism permanent neodymium magnets were used. Their strength was determined using a Gaussmeter. All experiments were recorded using a COHU digital camera. Image analysis was then performed on the video to determine any movements initiated by the magnetic field forces. In conclusion, Field’s metal is more than suitable for use in experimental settings as it is non-reactive, non-toxic, simple to manufacture, easy to use, and responds to a magnetic force.

Convective Cooling of Compact Electronic Devices via Liquid Metals with Low Melting Points

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilin Liu ◽  
Jing Liu
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Melting Point ◽  
Liquid Metal ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Flow Resistance ◽  
Heat Dissipation ◽  
Liquid Metals ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Convective Cooling ◽  
Heat Exchanger Design

Abstract The increasingly high power density of today's electronic devices requires the cooling techniques to produce highly effective heat dissipation performance with as little sacrifice as possible to the system compactness. Among the currently available thermal management schemes, the convective liquid metal cooling provides considerably high performance due to their unique thermal properties. This paper firstly reviews the studies on convective cooling using low-melting-point metals published in the past few decades. A group of equations for the thermophysical properties of In-Ga-Sn eutectic alloy is then documented by rigorous literature examination, following by a section of correlations for the heat transfer and flow resistance calculation to partially facilitate the designing work at the current stage. The urgent need to investigate the heat transfer and flow resistance of forced convection of low-melting-point metals in small/mini-channels, typical in compact electronic devices, is carefully argued. Some special aspects pertaining to the practical application of this cooling technique, including the entrance effect, mixed convection, and compact liquid metal heat exchanger design, are also discussed. Finally, future challenges and prospects are outlined.

Development of High Temperature Liquid Metal Heat Transfer Fluids for CSP Applications

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gopinath R. Warrier ◽  
Y. Sungtaek Ju ◽  
Jan Schroers ◽  
Mark Asta ◽  
Peter Hosemann
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Liquid Metal ◽  
Liquid Metals ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Structural Materials ◽  
Forced Flow ◽  
Oxygen Control ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Heat Transfer Fluids

In response to the DOE Sunshot Initiative to develop low-cost, high efficiency CSP systems, UCLA is leading a multi-university research effort to develop new high temperature heat transfer fluids capable of stable operation at 800°C and above. Due to their operating temperature range, desirable heat transfer properties and very low vapor pressure, liquid metals were chosen as the heat transfer fluid. An overview of the ongoing research effort is presented. Development of new liquid metal coolants begins with identification of suitable candidate metals and their alloys. Initial selection of candidate metals was based on such parameters as melting temperature, cost, toxicity, stability/reactivity Combinatorial sputtering of the down selected candidate metals is used to fabricate large compositional spaces (∼ 800), which are then characterized using high-throughput techniques (e.g., X-ray diffraction). Massively parallel optical methods are used to determine melting temperatures. Thermochemical modeling is also performed concurrently to compliment the experimental efforts and identify candidate multicomponent alloy systems that best match the targeted properties. The modeling effort makes use of available thermodynamic databases, the computational thermodynamic CALPHAD framework and molecular-dynamics simulations of molten alloys. Refinement of available thermodynamics models are performed by comparison with available experimental data. Characterizing corrosion in structural materials such as steels, when using liquid metals, and strategies to mitigate them are an integral part of this study. The corrosion mitigation strategy we have adopted is based on the formation of stable oxide layers on the structural metal surface which prevents further corrosion. As such oxygen control is crucial in such liquid metal systems. Liquid metal enhanced creep and embrittlement in commonly used structural materials are also being investigated. Experiments with oxygen control are ongoing to evaluate what structural materials can be used with liquid metals. Characterization of the heat transfer during forced flow is another key component of the study. Both experiments and modeling efforts have been initiated. Key results from experiments and modeling performed over the last year are highlighted and discussed.

Arrays of Rotating Permanent Magnet Dipoles for Stirring and Pumping of Liquid Metals

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andris Bojarevičs ◽  
Toms Beinerts ◽  
Mārtiņš Sarma ◽  
Yurii Gelfgat
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Metal ◽  
Permanent Magnet ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Liquid Metals ◽  
Physical Modelling ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Parameter Analysis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Metallurgical Furnaces ◽  
Multiple Configurations

AbstractMultiple configurations of synchronously rotating permanent magnet cylinders magnetized across the axes are proposed for liquid metal stirring for homogenization as well as for pumping. Universal analytical model is used for an initial parameter analysis. Then experimental setups were built to perform physical modelling of the industrial applications, e.g. large-scale metallurgical furnaces. Velocity distribution in the liquid metal was measured using different methods: the Ultrasound Doppler anemometry and the potential difference probes. The study shows that the cylindrical permanent magnet setups can achieve up to 10 times higher energy efficiency compared to AC inductors and have potential of wide-range industrial application, e.g. can be used as stirrers for secondary aluminium furnaces with up to 50 cm thick walls.

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