Liquid metal (LM)-based composites are promising for tunable stiffness, shape memory, and thermal management applications in robotics, electronics, and biomedical devices. However, uncontrolled supercooling causes LM particles to remain liquid far below their freezing point, resulting in unpredictable phase transitions and poor reliability. This limits adoption of LM composites in high-performance engineering applications where stability and control are critical.
This invention introduces a BiInSnZn alloy combined with a novel multi-step synthesis process that embeds oxide flakes into LM powders. These oxide flakes serve as nucleation sites, suppressing supercooling to ~4°C compared to near room temperature in standard LM systems. The powders can then be incorporated into PDMS to form composites with predictable phase transitions, enhanced thermomechanical stability, and reliable functionality. The approach is versatile, scalable, and adaptable to other LM systems for advanced soft materials.
• Suppresses supercooling to ~4°C, ensuring reliable phase transitions
• Enables tunable stiffness and shape memory in soft robotics applications
• Improves thermal management with predictable heat absorption and release
• Adaptable synthesis method transferable to other LM systems
• Novel BiInSnZn alloy enhances oxide formation and stability
• US Provisional Application 63/084,332 – Filed September 28, 2020
• US Patent Application 17/487,465 – Publication No. US 2022-0097138 A1, Allowed September 29, 2023
Validated – Proof-of-concept composites demonstrated with suppressed supercooling, reliable phase transitions, and thermomechanical performance improvements. TRL ~4–5.
This technology is available for licensing.
This technology is attractive for companies in robotics, flexible electronics, biomedical devices, and aerospace seeking reliable, multifunctional liquid metal composites with tunable and predictable properties.
Performance data on supercooling suppression, thermal cycling stability, and composite integration available upon request.