Methods, systems, and computer readable media for voltage controlled reconfiguration of liquid metal structures

Abstract

Voltage controlled reconfiguration of liquid metal structures by providing an electrolyte in the container. A liquid metal structure is provided in the container and at least partially in contact with the electrolyte. A voltage is applied between the liquid metal structure and the electrolyte to change the shape of the liquid metal structure such that the structure achieves a desired shape for an electrical, optical, mechanical, or thermal application.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for voltage controlled reconfiguration of a liquid metal structure, the method comprising:
 providing a container;   providing an electrolyte in the container;   providing a liquid metal structure in the container and at least partially in contact with the electrolyte; and   applying a voltage between the liquid metal structure and the electrolyte to change the shape of the liquid metal structure such that the structure achieves a desired shape.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the container defines an elongate fluid channel and a reservoir connected to the fluid channel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein applying a voltage between the liquid metal structure and the electrolyte includes applying a reductive potential to the liquid metal structure to electrochemically reduce an oxide skin of the liquid metal structure and cause at least a portion of the liquid metal structure to withdraw from the fluid channel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein applying a voltage between the liquid metal structure and the electrolyte includes applying an oxidative potential to the liquid metal structure to form an oxide skin around the liquid metal structure and cause the at least a portion of the liquid metal structure to move from the reservoir into the fluid channel. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the container defines a plurality of segments, each of which includes a portion of the liquid metal structure and each of which is coupled to the electrolyte, wherein applying the voltage includes applying a reductive potential to the liquid metal structure in one of the segments to selectively withdraw the liquid metal structure portions from the two segments. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the container defines a pool for holding the electrolyte and wherein applying a voltage between the liquid metal structure and the electrolyte includes applying a first electrode to the liquid metal structure, applying a second electrode to the electrolyte in proximity to the liquid metal structure, applying an oxidative potential to the liquid metal structure through the first electrode, and moving the second electrode while maintaining contact with the electrolyte to oxidize at least a portion of the liquid metal structure and form a desired shape of the liquid metal structure within the container. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the container comprises a first container for holding the electrolyte and a second container for holding the liquid metal structure and wherein applying a voltage between the liquid metal structure and the electrolyte includes applying an oxidative potential to the liquid metal structure to move the liquid metal structure from the second container into the first container and form a wire in the first container. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the container includes a first chamber for holding the electrolyte and a second chamber for holding the liquid metal structure, the first and second chambers being electrically coupled to each other via the electrolyte, and wherein applying the voltage between the liquid metal structure and the electrolyte includes applying a first electrode to the electrolyte, applying a second electrode to the liquid metal structure, and applying an oxidative potential to the liquid metal structure to move the liquid metal structure from the second container. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the liquid metal structure is immersed within the electrolyte and wherein applying a voltage between the liquid metal structure and the electrolyte includes applying an oxidative potential to the liquid metal structure to spread the liquid metal structure along a surface of the container. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the structure includes one of a wire, an interconnect, and an antenna. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the structure includes a mechanical, optical, or thermal structure. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the liquid metal structure comprises liquid gallium or a liquid gallium alloy. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  comprising ceasing application of the voltage between the liquid metal structure and the electrolyte when the liquid metal structure has formed a desired shape. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the liquid metal structure comprises a fiber. 
     
     
         15 . A method for manufacturing a self-healing electrical structure, the method comprising:
 providing a liquid metal structure comprising a liquid metal material having a liquid metal core and an oxide skin formed around the liquid metal core; and   encapsulating the liquid metal structure in a self-healing polymer surrounding the oxide skin of the liquid metal structure.   
     
     
         16 . A system for voltage control reconfiguration of a liquid metal structure in a fluid channel, the method comprising:
 a container;   an electrolyte located and at least partially in contact with the electrolyte in the container;   a liquid metal structure located in the container; and   a controlled voltage source configured to apply an electrical stimulus to the liquid metal structure to change the shape of the liquid metal structure such that the structure achieves a desired shape.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the container defines an elongate fluid channel and a reservoir connected to the fluid channel. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the controlled voltage source is configured to apply a reductive potential to the liquid metal structure to electrochemically reduce an oxide skin of the liquid metal structure and cause at least a portion of the liquid metal structure to withdraw from the fluid channel. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the controlled voltage source is configured to apply an oxidative potential to the liquid metal structure to form an oxide skin around the liquid metal structure and cause the at least a portion of the liquid metal structure to move from the reservoir into the fluid channel. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the container defines a plurality of segments, each of which includes a portion of the liquid metal structure and each of which is coupled to the electrolyte, wherein the controlled voltage source is configured to apply a reductive potential to the liquid metal structure in one of the segments to selectively withdraw the liquid metal structure portions from the two segments. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the container defines a pool for holding the electrolyte and wherein the controlled voltage source includes a first electrode for contacting the liquid metal structure, a second electrode for contacting the electrolyte in proximity to the liquid metal structure, and wherein the controlled voltage source is configured to apply an oxidative potential to the liquid metal structure through the first electrode, and the second electrode is configured to move while maintaining contact with the electrolyte to oxidize at least a portion of the liquid metal structure and form a desired shape of the liquid metal structure within the container. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the container comprises a first container for holding the electrolyte and a second container for holding the liquid metal structure and wherein the controlled voltage source is configured to apply an oxidative potential to the liquid metal structure to move the liquid metal structure from the second container into the first container and form a wire in the first container. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the container includes a first chamber for holding the electrolyte and a second chamber for holding the liquid metal structure, the first and second chambers being electrically coupled to each other via the electrolyte, and wherein the controlled voltage source includes a first electrode for contacting the electrolyte, a second electrode for contacting the liquid metal structure, and wherein the controlled voltage source is configured to apply an oxidative potential to the liquid metal structure to move the liquid metal structure from the second container. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the liquid metal structure is immersed within the electrolyte and wherein the controlled voltage source is configured to apply an oxidative potential to the liquid metal structure to spread the liquid metal structure along a surface of the container. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the liquid metal structure comprises a fiber. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the structure includes one of a wire, an interconnect, and an antenna. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the structure includes a mechanical, optical, or thermal structure, and the property comprises a desired mechanical, optical, or thermal property. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the liquid metal structure comprises liquid gallium or a gallium alloy. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the controlled voltage source is configured to cease application of the voltage when a desired shape of the liquid metal structure is achieved. 
     
     
         30 . A self-healing electrical structure:
 a liquid metal conductive structure comprising a liquid metal material having a liquid metal core and an oxide skin formed around the liquid metal core; and   a self-healing polymer surrounding the oxide skin of the liquid metal structure.