Researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney have unveiled a groundbreaking invention – the world’s first motor powered by a droplet of liquid metal. This innovative technology is poised to revolutionize various fields such as soft robotics, flexible electronics, and medical devices.
In a recent blog post by UNSW on January 19, it was revealed that this experimental motor operates without the traditional rigid components like coils or magnets found in conventional designs. Instead, it utilizes swirling flows within a suspended droplet of liquid metal immersed in a salt solution and exposed to an electric field. A small copper paddle placed inside the droplet is propelled by these internal flows, generating continuous rotational movement.
The device, named the liquid metal droplet rotary paddle motor, represents a novel approach to generating mechanical motion. Achieving speeds of up to 320 revolutions per minute, this motor sets a new performance standard for actuators based on liquid metal.
Dr. Priyank Kumar, the project supervisor, emphasized the uniqueness of this design, highlighting that the rotation is driven by the flow of liquid metal itself, eliminating the need for solid moving components. This innovative concept showcases how simple, flowing materials can be harnessed to facilitate rotation in compact and flexible systems.
Electric motors are integral to a multitude of modern technologies, from personal gadgets to industrial equipment. The potential of alternative motor designs is vast, particularly in scenarios where conventional rigid elements are impractical, as indicated by the blog.
The liquid metal motor holds significant promise for soft robotics, a field dedicated to creating machines capable of flexible movements in constrained or irregular spaces. Unlike rigid mechanisms like gears and shafts, a flexible motor opens up new possibilities for diverse forms of motion and functionality.
Professor Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh from the University of Sydney, a collaborator on the project, envisioned the application of this motor in scenarios like a miniature robot navigating intricate spaces within the human body. The flexibility of such motors could facilitate delicate movements without the constraints of rigid structures.
PhD student Richard Fuchs, the mastermind behind the motor’s development, likened its operation to a miniature waterwheel, with the liquid metal flow propelling the copper paddles akin to water driving a wheel.
Apart from robotics, the researchers foresee potential applications of this technology in areas such as flexible electronics, microfluidic systems, and biomedical implants, where compact and adaptable motion is essential in sensitive environments.