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A Robot Boat Powered by Liquid Metal Engines
Author(s) -
Li Xiangpeng,
Tang ShiYang,
Li Shen,
Ge Du'an,
Yang Junhui,
Zhou Jiangxia,
Yang Hao,
Zhang Shiwu,
Li Weihua,
Sun Lining
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced materials technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.184
H-Index - 42
ISSN - 2365-709X
DOI - 10.1002/admt.202000840
Subject(s) - liquid metal , marangoni effect , materials science , robot , work (physics) , microelectromechanical systems , mechanical engineering , power (physics) , limiting , automotive engineering , surface tension , computer science , nanotechnology , engineering , artificial intelligence , composite material , physics , quantum mechanics
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.