Liquid metal-filled magnetorheological elastomer with positive piezoconductivity

Guolin Yun, Shi-Yang Tang (), Shuaishuai Sun, Dan Yuan, Qianbin Zhao, Lei Deng, Sheng Yan, Haiping Du, Michael D. Dickey () and Weihua Li ()
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Guolin Yun: University of Wollongong
Shi-Yang Tang: University of Wollongong
Shuaishuai Sun: University of Wollongong
Dan Yuan: University of Wollongong
Qianbin Zhao: University of Wollongong
Lei Deng: University of Wollongong
Sheng Yan: The University of Tokyo
Haiping Du: University of Wollongong
Michael D. Dickey: North Carolina State University
Weihua Li: University of Wollongong

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Conductive elastic composites have been used widely in soft electronics and soft robotics. These composites are typically a mixture of conductive fillers within elastomeric substrates. They can sense strain via changes in resistance resulting from separation of the fillers during elongation. Thus, most elastic composites exhibit a negative piezoconductive effect, i.e. the conductivity decreases under tensile strain. This property is undesirable for stretchable conductors since such composites may become less conductive during deformation. Here, we report a liquid metal-filled magnetorheological elastomer comprising a hybrid of fillers of liquid metal microdroplets and metallic magnetic microparticles. The composite’s resistivity reaches a maximum value in the relaxed state and drops drastically under any deformation, indicating that the composite exhibits an unconventional positive piezoconductive effect. We further investigate the magnetic field-responsive thermal properties of the composite and demonstrate several proof-of-concept applications. This composite has prospective applications in sensors, stretchable conductors, and responsive thermal interfaces.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09325-4

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