Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 13, 2025

A Method to Manipulate Surface Tension of a Liquid Metal via Surface Oxidation and Reduction
Published on: January 26, 2016
Liquid metal-based electromagnetic metasurface for continuous RCS reduction adjustment
Abstract:
A liquid metal microfluidic metasurface is demonstrated for the continuous and simultaneous reconfiguration of electromagnetic properties, including phase, resonance frequency, and reflection amplitude. The metasurface, constructed from each split-ring cell with a variable cross-section, is fabricated using a polydimethylsiloxane array microchannel molding process. The designed subarray (5 × 3 units) of the metasurface enables continuous, independent, and differential regulation by bistable liquid metal microfluidics. A continuous state coding method for electromagnetic reconfiguration is proposed and validated through both simulations and experimental tests. The resonant frequency and reflection amplitude are experimentally tested by a 30 cm × 30 cm liquid metal metasurface, demonstrating a frequency reconfiguration range from 2.1 to 5.1 GHz and a continuous reflection amplitude regulation of up to 10 dB within the 2.5 to 6.5 GHz range. The relative bandwidth and absolute bandwidth are up to 88.89% and 4 GHz, respectively. Therefore, this technique provides an effective approach for broadband continuous reconfiguration and multi-bit coding of electromagnetic responses with low-power consumption.
Related Concept Videos
Biasing of Metal-Semiconductor Junctions
In Schottky junctions, where the semiconductor is n-type, applying a positive voltage to the metal relative to the semiconductor reduces its Fermi...
Magnetic Damping
If, however, the bob is a slotted metal plate, the magnet produces a much smaller effect. When a slotted metal plate enters the field, an emf is induced by the change in flux; however, it is less effective because the slots limit the...
Metal-Semiconductor Junctions
Schottky Barriers
Schottky barriers arise when a metal with a work function (Φm) contacts a semiconductor with a different work function (Φs). Initially, electrons transfer until the Fermi levels of the metal and semiconductor align at equilibrium. For instance, if Φm > Φs, the semiconductor Fermi level is higher than the metal's before contact. The...
Eddy Currents
Other major applications of eddy currents appear in metal detectors and the braking systems of trains and roller...
Magnetostatic Boundary Conditions

