Soft functional composites are critical for soft robotics, deformable electronics, and human-machine interface devices. But often, there is a tradeoff between soft mechanical response and functionality with traditional rigid metal, ceramic or carbon-based fillers. Liquid inclusions dispersed in elastomers present intriguing new opportunities to overcome these challenges and enable unique combinations of mechanical and functional properties in soft solids. Here I will present an all-soft matter approach that combines compliant elastomers with dispersions of liquid-phase eutectic Ga-In (EGaIn) metal alloy microdroplets. To study mechanical and functional properties we first create composite microstructures with prescribed droplet size, volume loading, and particle shape. Experimental and theoretical investigations show that liquid metal droplets incorporated into elastomers enables exceptional combinations of soft elasticity and electrical and thermal properties with extreme toughness, autonomously self-healing circuits, damage detection, and mechanically triggered stiffness tuning. I will describe the key microstructural characteristics that control these responses and how mechanical-functional properties can synergistically couple to provide multifunctional properties. This approach provides model systems to study fundamental material properties while enabling a variety of soft matter technologies such as electronic skins, soft robots, and thermal-interface materials. 

Multifunctional soft materials through solid-liquid composites

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.