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Particles in a solid are tightly packed together (fixed shape) and often arranged in a regular pattern; in a liquid, they are close together with no regular arrangement (no fixed shape); in a gas, they are far apart with no regular arrangement (no fixed shape). Particles in a solid vibrate about fixed positions (cannot flow) and do not generally move in relation to one another; in a liquid, they move past each other (can flow) but remain in essentially constant contact; in a gas, they move...
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Transition metals are defined as those elements that have partially filled d orbitals. As shown in Figure 1, the d-block elements in groups 3–12 are transition elements. The f-block elements, also called inner transition metals (the lanthanides and actinides), also meet this criterion because the d orbital is partially occupied before the f orbitals.
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Group 1 elements are soft and shiny metallic solids. They are malleable, ductile, and good conductors of heat and electricity. The melting points of the alkali metals are unusually low for metals and decrease going down the group, while the density increases going down the group with the exception of potassium (Table 1).
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Magnetic Liquid Metals Manipulated in the Three-Dimensional Free Space.

Liang Hu, Hongzhang Wang1, Xiaofei Wang

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , China.

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|February 16, 2019
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Summary

Researchers developed a magnetic liquid metal droplet (MLMD) capable of large-scale, reversible 3D stretching. This innovation enables intelligent, scalable conductors and biomimetic soft robots controlled by magnetic fields.

Keywords:
3D stretchingintelligent scalable conductormagnetic liquid metalssoft robotssurface oxide

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Robotics
  • Soft Matter Physics

Background:

  • Liquid metal droplets (LMDs) offer unique properties but often lack robust mechanical control and large-scale deformability.
  • Achieving precise, multi-directional actuation of LMDs in free space remains a significant challenge for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce a novel magnetic liquid metal droplet (MLMD) with exceptional 3D stretching capabilities.
  • To demonstrate the potential of MLMDs as intelligent, scalable conductors and precursors for biomimetic soft robots.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of MLMDs using a multimaterial system comprising liquid metals, iron particles, and electrolytes.
  • Utilizing external magnetic fields for contactless, precise control over MLMD shape, orientation, and movement.
  • Investigating the role of surface oxide layers in enabling simultaneous stretchability and mechanical strength.

Main Results:

  • The MLMD exhibits reversible, repeatable, and long-lasting large-scale stretching in both horizontal and vertical directions.
  • An intelligent scalable conductor was successfully demonstrated, capable of making electrical connections in 3D free space.
  • Demonstrated unique locomotion behavior, with vertically stretched MLMDs moving horizontally, mimicking an amphibian's gait.

Conclusions:

  • The developed MLMD presents a versatile platform for multi-freedom actuation of liquid metals in free space.
  • This technology holds significant promise for the future development of dynamically reconfigurable intelligent and biomimetic soft robots.