Abstract
Minimized motors can harvest different types of energy and transfer them into kinetic power to carry out complex operations, such as targeted drug delivery, health care, sensing and so on. In recent years, the liquid metal motor is emerging as a very promising tiny machine. This work is dedicated to investigate the motion characteristics of self-powered liquid metal droplet machines under external electric field, after engulfing a small amount of aluminum. Two new non-dimensional parameters, named and , are put forward for the first time to evaluate the ratio of the forces resulting from the electric field to the fluidic viscous force and the ratio of the friction force to the fluidic viscous force. Forces exerted on liquid metal droplets, the viscosity between the droplet and the surrounding fluid, the pressure difference on both ends, the friction between the bottom of the droplet and the sink base, and bubble propulsion force are evaluated and estimated regarding whether they are impetus or resistance. Effects of electric field intensity, droplet size, solution concentration and surface roughness etc. on the morphology and running behavior of such tiny liquid metal motors are clarified in detail. This work sheds light on the moving mechanism of the liquid metal droplet in aqueous solutions, preparing for more precise and complicated control of liquid metal soft machines.
Highlights
Minimized motors retain the property of their macroscale counterparts on harvesting different types of energy namely thermal [1,2], electrical [3,4], magnetic [5,6,7], chemical [8,9,10], ultrasound [11,12], light [13,14] power and so on, transferring into kinetic energy to carry out complex operations
Tiny liquid metal motors can be driven by the electric field, allowing its biocompatibility superior to those fueled by traditional toxic solution
To figure out the morphology and running behavior of the liquid metal droplet under different conditions, we investigate its performance with varied voltages, droplet sizes, solution concentrations and the friction force
Summary
Minimized motors retain the property of their macroscale counterparts on harvesting different types of energy namely thermal [1,2], electrical [3,4], magnetic [5,6,7], chemical [8,9,10], ultrasound [11,12], light [13,14] power and so on, transferring into kinetic energy to carry out complex operations. Scattered into small droplets and provided with aluminum, autonomous macroscopic Brownian self-propulsion phenomenon of the tiny liquid metal motors can be observed in alkaline solutions [22]. Based on previous studies of liquid metal-aqueous solution multiphase flow, this work focuses on the dynamic behaviors of liquid metal droplets after engulfing a small amount of aluminum, under the effect of electric field. In the process of running, the liquid metal motor is subjected to the viscos dragging between the droplet and the surrounding fluid, the pressure difference on both ends, the friction between the bottom of the droplet and the sink base, and bubble propulsion force Whether these forces propel or hinder the movement of liquid metal motors are discussed, revealing the moving mechanism of liquid metal in aqueous solutions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
