Source abstract
Abstract
Abstract Unlike conventional microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), machines based on gallium liquid metal alloys rely on Marangoni flows to induce motion without mechanical moving parts. Despite this advantage, currently developed liquid metal enabled robotic systems still need the locomotion of liquid metal droplets, thereby generating weak actuating forces and limiting their manoeuvrability. Here, a liquid metal engine (LME) is created to work as a jet thruster to continuously power a robot boat without the need of locomotion. In addition, the engine is electrically driven by surface tension without any mechanical moving parts. The structural design and the parameters of operation of the LME are investigated and optimized. Finally, the manipulation of the LME using a motor control unit is demonstrated for driving an untethered robot boat to realize complex locomotion with the precise control over the direction and speed. Thus, this LME could offer new opportunities for developing high‐performance liquid metal machines to power robotic systems.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Micro and Nano Robotics · Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence · Electrohydrodynamics and Fluid Dynamics
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Affiliations
School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Soochow University Suzhou 215000 China
Department of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering University of Birmingham Birmingham B15 2TT UK
CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation University of Science and Technology of China Hefei 230026 China
School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering University of Wollongong Wollongong NSW 2522 Australia
Funding
National Natural Science Foundation of China · Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province
References (18)
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