2023-10-03 16:53:11
Singaporean scientists have created a super flexible and self-healing material
Liquid metal circuits are setting new standards for future electronics.
Scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have created a unique material ideal for flexible electronic circuits. This breakthrough might dramatically improve the performance of wearable technology, soft robots and other smart devices.
The created material, called Bilaminar Liquid-Solid Conductor (BiLiSC), is capable of stretching up to 22 times its original length without significant loss in electrical conductivity. This electromechanical performance, which has not been achieved before, improves human-device interaction and expands its use in medical wearable devices.
Professor Lim Chwee Teck, leader of the research team, said: “We developed this technology to address the need for rugged circuitry with high functionality for the next generation of wearable, robotic and smart devices.”
BiLiSC is a two-layer technology. The first layer is pure liquid metal, which provides high conductivity even at high deformations. The second layer consists of a composite material with microparticles of liquid metal, which can be restored following damage. When cracks or breaks occur, liquid metal flowing from the microparticle fills the gap, allowing the material to almost instantly restore its conductivity.
For commercial viability, the NUS team developed a method to produce BiLiSC quickly and cost-effectively. The results of the study were published in the journal Advanced Materials in November 2022.
The researchers also demonstrated the feasibility of using BiLiSC in various wearable electronics components. They are now working to create an improved version of BiLiS that can be directly printed without using a template, reducing the cost and improving the manufacturing accuracy of BiLiSC.
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