Abstract
As an emerging multifunctional material, gallium based liquid metal has presented new and exciting opportunities for a variety of applications, ranging from microfluidics, smart machines, to soft robot. However, study on the motion control of liquid metal is still absent, which hinders their further applications. In this paper we develop a manipulation platform that would control the motion of a liquid metal droplet in a two-dimensional plane. A dynamic model of a liquid metal droplet immersed in the electrolyte under external voltages input is discussed first, followed by a tracking controller designed to drive the liquid metal droplet to track the desired trajectory with vision feedback. Based on the controller, a liquid metal manipulation platform is established. The effectiveness of this proposed method is verified by controlling a liquid metal droplet to track different trajectories. This proposed approach may generate profound impact on developing future microfluidic systems or tiny soft robots that can be driven accurately by liquid metal droplets.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
