Litcius/Paper detail

Ultra-conformable liquid metal particle monolayer on air/water interface for substrate-free E-tattoo

Fali Li, Wenjuan Lei, Yuwei Wang, Xingjian Lu, Shengbin Li, Feng Xu, Zidong He, Jinyun Liu, Huali Yang, Yuanzhao Wu, Jie Shang, Yiwei Liu, Run‐Wei Li

2023npj Flexible Electronics28 citationsDOIOpen Access PDF

Abstract

Abstract Gallium-based liquid metal has gained significant attention in conformal flexible electronics due to its high electrical conductivity, intrinsic deformability, and biocompatibility. However, the fabrication of large-area and highly uniform conformal liquid metal films remains challenging. Interfacial self-assembly has emerged as a promising method, but traditional approaches face difficulties in assembling liquid metal particles. Here, we realized the multi-size universal self-assembly (MUS) for liquid metal particles with various diameters (<500 μm). By implementing a z-axis undisturbed interfacial material releasing strategy, the interference of gravitational energy on the stability of floating particles is avoided, enabling the fabrication of ultra-conformable monolayer films with large areas (>100 cm 2 ) and high floating yield (50–90%). Moreover, the films can be conformally transferred onto complex surfaces such as human skin, allowing for the fabrication of substrate-free flexible devices. This eliminates interference from traditional substrate mechanical responses, making the liquid metal e-tattoo more user-friendly.

Topics & Concepts

FabricationConformable matrixMaterials scienceMonolayerSubstrate (aquarium)NanotechnologyStretchable electronicsLiquid metalMetalComposite materialElectronicsMetallurgyChemistryAlternative medicinePathologyMedicineOceanographyGeologyPhysical chemistryAdvanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting MaterialsTactile and Sensory InteractionsNanomaterials and Printing Technologies
Ultra-conformable liquid metal particle monolayer on air/water interface for substrate-free E-tattoo | Litcius