#535 How A Liquid Metal Could Transform Soft Electronics with Michael Dickey, professor at North Carolina State University

Today we’re talking to Michael Dickey, professor at North Carolina State University; and we discuss the properties of the liquid metal element known as gallium; where gallium is being used in the marketplace; and how it could revolutionize efforts to reduce carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.

All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast!

About The Dickey Group:

The Dickey group is studying new ways to pattern, actuate, and control soft materials (gels, polymers, liquid metals). A common theme of our projects is the importance of thin films, interfacial phenomena, and microfabrication. Our approach is to (i) elucidate the fundamental properties of materials such that they can be harnessed in a useful manner, and (ii) develop new, unconventional approaches to fabricate, actuate, and assemble these materials. Applications of the research include patterning, 3D printing, stretchable / soft electronics, self-folding, actuation of soft robotics, wearable electronics, energy harvesting devices, reconfigurable circuits, and microfluidics

We are also interested in photo-curable polymeric materials, particularly those used in both photo- and imprint lithography. The properties (curing speed, sensitivity, elemental composition, dielectric constant, mechanical properties, viscosity, etc.) of these materials must be tailored and optimized depending on the application.