Energy Harvesting for Soft-Matter Machines and Electronics

  • Magazine Article
  • TBMG-36059
Published February 01, 2020 by Tech Briefs Media Group in United States
Language:
  • English

Air Force (AF) materials capable of dramatic changes in shape and rigidity require soft-matter electronics that support functionality without interfering with the mechanics of the host structure. This program introduced a new class of soft, multifunctional materials that can be used to power these systems by converting elastic strain energy from large deformations into electricity. These materials are composed of soft elastomers embedded with a suspension of liquid metal (LM) droplets that control the electrical properties of the composite.