Liquid metal (here, eutectic gallium indium) can easily be injected into hollow cavities. Examples include hollow fibers, microfluidic channels, 3D printed cavities, etc. In this video, a syringe is placed against the inlet hole of a microfluidic channel and the metal is pushed through the channel, ultimately leaving at at outlet of the channel.
Injection is interesting because:
1. Conventional metals (copper, aluminum, etc) are solid and cannot be injected at room temperature. Thus, injection is a unique way to pattern metals.
2. It allows parts, such as those made by 3D printing, to be metalized to create electrodes, antennas, etc.
3. If the metal is injected into a rubbery material, the resulting structure is a stretchable conductor.
More information can be found in this review:
[ Ссылка ]
It is also possible to use vacuum to enable injection, which is even easier!
[ Ссылка ]
Video courtesy of Dr. Ju-Hee So
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