Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed
three-dimensional (3-D) printing technology and techniques to create
free-standing structures made of liquid metal at room temperature.
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| Researchers have developed three-dimensional structures out of liquid metal. Image: Michael Dickey. |
“It’s difficult to create structures out of liquids, because liquids
want to bead up. But we’ve found that a liquid metal alloy of gallium
and indium reacts to the oxygen in the air at room temperature to form a
‘skin’ that allows the liquid metal structures to retain their shapes,”
says Dr. Michael Dickey, an assistant professor of chemical and
biomolecular engineering at NC State and co-author of a paper describing
the work.
Credit: NC state University