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Electrical control of liquid metal amoeba with directional extension formation.

ABSTRACT: In this study, an electric field was used to regulate and control pseudopodia-like extensions of a liquid metal-Al (LM-Al) droplet in certain directions. The results suggest that in certain electric fields, the LM-Al droplets tend to generate extensions perpendicular to the electric field; the underlying mechanism arises from the specific surface tension imbalance induced by the electric field. The influence of varying electric field intensity and Al content on the LM-Al transformations was also evaluated; the LM-Al droplets displayed specific and distinct behaviors according to each experimental configuration; this further proved the feasibility of using electric fields for controlling LM-Al transformations. The entire study provides a promising and practical method for control of LM amoeba-like transformations, which are valuable for further development of soft robots and devices.

SUBMITTER: Hu L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9060886 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Electrical control of liquid metal amoeba with directional extension formation.

Hu Liang L Zhao Xi X Guo Jiarui J Liu Jing J

RSC advances 20190118 5

In this study, an electric field was used to regulate and control pseudopodia-like extensions of a liquid metal-Al (LM-Al) droplet in certain directions. The results suggest that in certain electric fields, the LM-Al droplets tend to generate extensions perpendicular to the electric field; the underlying mechanism arises from the specific surface tension imbalance induced by the electric field. The influence of varying electric field intensity and Al content on the LM-Al transformations was also ...[more]

PMID: 35520505

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