Patterning Eutectic Gallium – Indium Nanoparticles

Mercury and gallium are liquids metals at or near room temperature. Mercury has a limited number of applications due to its toxicity. Gallium and its alloys have low toxicity, viscosity and vapor pressure. Gallium and its alloys tend to form a thin surface oxide layer. Taking advantage of this layer, nanoparticles of eutectic gallium - indium (EGaIn) were utilized to create films that are not conductive due to the oxide layer and the large number of particle junctions. Arbitrary conductive patterns could be created by breaking the oxide skin on demand. These structures may be useful for soft, stretchable, and flexible electronics.