Injection Molding of Liquid Metal by Harnessing Nonstick Molds

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c16692
• Publication Date: 2024-02-20T22:09:51Z
• Authors: Jinwoo Ma; Dhwanil P. Vaghani; Sooik Im; Minsik Kong; Mohammad Shamsi; Shuzhen Wei; Man Hou Vong; Michael D. Dickey
• Keywords: Liquid metal; Molding (decorative); Metal injection molding

The fluid nature of liquid metals combined with their ability to form a solid native oxide skin enables them be patterned in ways that would challenging for metals. present work shows unique way patterning by injecting into mold. mold contains nonstick coating the removal mold, thereby leaving just metal on target substrate. This approach offers simplicity and structural control molding but without having become part device. Thus, can encapsulated very soft polymers collapse if used as microchannels. same multiple times high-volume metal. injection method is rapid reliably produces structures complex geometries both flat curved surfaces. We demonstrate fabricating an elastomeric Joule heater electroadhesive gripper show potential stretchable devices.