Rise of the Liquid Metal Science, Technology and Industry: Advancements and Opportunities

Jing Liu

doi:10.15302/J-SSCAE-2020.05.016

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Strategic Study of CAE ›› 2020, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (5) : 93-103. DOI: 10.15302/J-SSCAE-2020.05.016

Research on New Material Power Strategy by 2035

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Rise of the Liquid Metal Science, Technology and Industry: Advancements and Opportunities

Jing Liu¹^,²

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Abstract

The room temperature liquid metal and its allied materials are a class of emerging functional matters with diverse species. Recently, with breakthrough discoveries made on liquid metals, tremendous exciting applications were raised and many new materials that had never been anticipated before were invented. As a result, the latest achievements on liquid metals were ascribed as the second revolution of human beings over the process of utilizing metals. This article briefly summarized typical advancements, fundamental sciences, and key technological and industrial areas thus initiated which include but are not limited to: chip cooling and energy utilization, printed electronics and 3D printing, biomedical materials, as well as smart soft machines. In addition, historic background to propose and establish “The China Liquid Metal Valley” and the basic strategy to mold a brand new industry of liquid metal were outlined. The core values to strengthen future research on liquid metal material genome engineering and thus build up corresponding databases were summarized. Overall, liquid metals are important frontiers for science, technology, and industry integrating both fundamental and practical issues together. Further continuous endeavors would lead to pivotal progress of human civilization and thus reshape social production and lifestyle. Its impact for both China and the world to explore next generation revolutionary science, technology, and industry will be huge.

Keywords

liquid metal / new material / disruptive technology / new industry / advanced cooling / printed electronics / biomaterial / soft robot

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Jing Liu. Rise of the Liquid Metal Science, Technology and Industry: Advancements and Opportunities. Strategic Study of CAE, 2020, 22(5): 93‒103 https://doi.org/10.15302/J-SSCAE-2020.05.016

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