Using Liquid Metal in an Electromechanical Motor with Breathing Mode Motion

Abstract

Electromechanical actuators exploit the Lorentz force law to convert electrical energy into rotational or linear mechanical energy. In these electromagnetically induced motions, the electrical current flows through wires that are rigid and consequently the types of motion generated are limited. Recent advances in preparing liquid metal alloys permit wires that are flexible. Such wires have been used to fabricate various forms of flexible connections, but very little has been done to use liquid metal as an actuator. In this paper we propose and have tested a new type of motor using liquid metal conductors in which radial (or breathing) modes are activated.