Abstract: Soft, elastically deformable composites of multifunctional materials for electronics, robotics, and reconfigurable structures. Liquid metal (LM) droplets dispersed in elastomer matrices has unique combinations of soft mechanical response with exceptional electrical and thermal functionalities. These properties are strongly dependent on the material composition and microstructure. Control of LM microdroplet morphology to program mechanical and functional properties is by annealed-deformation shaping LM droplets in soft composites to create programmable microstructures in stress-free materials. Thermo-mechanical shaping is one example of annealed-deformation shaping. This enables LM loadings up to 70% by volume with prescribed particle aspect ratios and orientation, enabling control of microstructure throughout the bulk of the material. Through this microstructural control in soft composites, a material which simultaneously achieves a thermal conductivity as high as 13.

Abstract: Various examples of switchable adhesive elements are described. An example switchable adhesive element includes a compliant stalk extending from a support end to a contact end. The compliant stalk includes a tapered outer surface and a curved contact surface at the contact end. The switchable adhesive element further includes a membrane coupled to the curved contact surface and capping the contact end of the compliant stalk. The curved contact surface can be curved with a radius of curvature between 5 mm and 100 mm in various examples. In other aspects, the compliant stalk includes a fluid channel that extends through the compliant stalk from the support end to the contact end, and the membrane is pneumatically or hydraulically actuated via the fluid channel through the compliant stalk.

Abstract: In various aspects, the disclosure relates to methods of adhering a liquid metal composite to a substrate. The method can include applying a pretreatment to a surface of the substrate to form an activated surface. In some aspects, the pretreatment is an oxygen plasma treatment. The methods can then include contacting a silane with the activated surface to form a functionalized surface. A variety of suitable silanes may be used, but in some instances the silane is aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The method then includes contacting the functionalized surface with a liquid metal composite precursor and curing the liquid metal composite precursor while in contact with the functionalized surface to form the liquid metal composite adhered to the substrate. Articles made by the methods are also provided, including articles such as electronics having the liquid metal composite adhered to a substrate using the methods described herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of functionally graded pure and composite 3D printed articles having nonporous regions and porous regions are described. In one example, a printed composite article includes a polymer matrix including a porous region. The printed composite article further includes a plurality of liquid metal elements embedded in the polymer matrix. In another example, a printed article includes a polymer matrix including a nonporous region and a porous region adjacent to and at least partly integrated with or coupled to the nonporous region. The porous region includes porous polymer material having an increasing porosity or a decreasing porosity in at least one direction relative to a longitudinal axis of at least one of the polymer matrix or the printed article.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to underwater grasping of objects. In one example. an underwater adhesive system includes switchable adhesive elements, proximity sensing elements, and a controller. Each of the switchable adhesive elements can be pneumatically actuated to control adhesion or release of that switchable adhesive element. One of the switchable adhesive elements can be positioned adjacent to each of the proximity sensing elements. The controller can control adhesion of the switchable adhesive elements based at least in part upon signals from the proximity sensing elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of a liquid metal (LM)-vitrimer composite that is reclaimable, recyclable, flexible, and electrically conductive are described. An example conductive composite includes a vitrimer matrix. The conductive composite further includes an electrically conductive percolated network of liquid metal elements disposed in the vitrimer matrix. Another example conductive composite includes a vitrimer matrix and a liquid metal-vitrimer composite layer disposed in the vitrimer matrix. The liquid metal-vitrimer composite layer includes an electrically conductive percolated network of liquid metal elements. An example device includes a substrate and a conductive composite coupled to the substrate. The conductive composite includes a vitrimer matrix. The conductive composite further includes an electrically conductive percolated network of liquid metal elements disposed in the vitrimer matrix.

Abstract: An isolator designed through the inclusion of a magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) along and at or near an electromagnetic coil. A variety of factors can be balanced to produce an isolator that takes advantage of the radially axial coil. One non-limiting embodiment of the design uses a two-part coil bobbin geometry; wherein the axial center of the bobbin is a nonmagnetic material which allows passage of the magnetic field, while the end pieces are made of a high permeability material that limits the stray magnetic field and improves the magnetic flux density through the MRE by providing a pathway of least magnetic reluctance. The MRE changes stiffness and damping properties in response to the strength of the magnetic field, which can be controlled by changing the current through the electromagnetic coil. Feedback and feedforward control systems can allow for real time adaptation by the isolator in response to changing external stimuli. The isolator is useful for a variety of uses.

Abstract: In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, the disclosure, in one aspect, relates to methods of additive manufacture of emulsion compositions. In various aspects, the present disclosure relates to composite materials incorporating microstructures formed by inclusion compositions, and methods of their manufacture. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adhesive system comprising a fabricated structure having alternating regions that are unpatterned and patterned along its longitudinal length. Patterned regions have at least one subregion with a non-linear cut relative to the transverse direction across the width of the structure. The geometry, location of the subregion(s), number of nonlinear cuts, and other parameters allow tuning as well as pinpoint programming of the adhesive properties either along the entire width and length or the strip or just at pinpointed subregions of the strip. Such tuning can include not only adhesive strength, but its adhesive strength in certain peeling directions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adhesive system comprising a fabricated structure having alternating regions that are unpatterned and patterned along its longitudinal length. Patterned regions have at least one subregion with a non-linear cut relative to the transverse direction across the width of the structure. The geometry, location of the subregion(s), number of nonlinear cuts, and other parameters allow tuning as well as pinpoint programming of the adhesive properties either along the entire width and length or the strip or just at pinpointed subregions of the strip. Such tuning can include not only adhesive strength, but its adhesive strength in certain peeling directions.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a thermally conductive and stretchable elastomer composite comprises mixing liquid metal and soft material (e.g., elastomer) in a centrifugal or industrial shear mixer under conditions such that the liquid metal forms microscale liquid metal droplets that are dispersed in the soft elastomer. Liquid metal-embedded elastomers, or “LMEEs,” formed in this manner dramatically increase the fracture energy of soft materials up to 50 times over an unfilled polymer. This extreme toughening is achieved by means of (i) increasing energy dissipation, (ii) adaptive crack movement, and (iii) effective elimination of the crack tip. Such properties arise from the deformability and dynamic rearrangement of the LM inclusions during loading, providing a new mechanism to not only prevent crack initiation, but also resist the propagation of existing tears for ultra-tough, highly functional soft materials.

Abstract: An efficient fabrication technique, including an optional design step, is used to create highly customizable wearable electronics. The method of fabrication utilizes rapid laser machining and adhesion-controlled soft materials. The method produces well-aligned, multi-layered materials created from 2D and 3D elements that stretch and bend while seamlessly integrating with rigid components such as microchip integrated circuits (IC), discrete electrical components, and interconnects. The design step can be used to create a 3D device that conforms to different-shaped body parts. These techniques are applied using commercially available materials. These methods enable custom wearable electronics while offering versatility in design and functionality for a variety of bio-monitoring applications.

Abstract: Soft-matter technologies are essential for emerging applications in wearable computing, human-machine interaction, and soft robotics. However, as these technologies gain adoption in society and interact with unstructured environments, material and structure damage becomes inevitable. A robotic material that mimics soft tissues found in biological systems may be used to identify, compute, and respond to damage. This material includes liquid metal droplets dispersed in soft elastomers that rupture when damaged to create electrically conductive pathways that are identified with a soft active-matrix grid. These technologies may be used to autonomously identify damage, calculate severity, and respond to prevent failure within robotic systems.

Abstract: An efficient fabrication technique, including an optional design step, used to create highly customizable wearable electronics through rapid laser machining and adhesion-controlled soft materials assembly is disclosed herein. Well-aligned, multi-layered materials can be created from 2D and 3D elements that stretch and bend while seamlessly integrating with rigid components such as microchip integrated circuits (IC), discrete electrical components, and interconnects. The design step can be used to create a 3D device that conforms to different-shaped body parts. These techniques are applied using commercially available materials. These materials and methods enable custom wearable electronics while offering versatility in design and functionality for a variety of bio-monitoring applications.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a thermally conductive and stretchable elastomer composite comprises mixing liquid metal and soft material (e.g., elastomer) in a centrifugal or industrial shear mixer under conditions such that the liquid metal forms microscale liquid metal droplets that are dispersed in the soft elastomer. Liquid metal-embedded elastomers, or “LMEEs,” formed in this manner dramatically increase the fracture energy of soft materials up to 50 times over an unfilled polymer. This extreme toughening is achieved by means of (i) increasing energy dissipation, (ii) adaptive crack movement, and (iii) effective elimination of the crack tip. Such properties arise from the deformability and dynamic rearrangement of the LM inclusions during loading, providing a new mechanism to not only prevent crack initiation, but also resist the propagation of existing tears for ultra-tough, highly functional soft materials.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an efficient fabrication approach to create highly customizable wearable electronics through rapid laser machining and adhesion-controlled soft materials assembly. Well-aligned, multi-layered materials can be created from 2D and 3D elements that stretch and bend while seamlessly integrating with rigid components such as microchip integrated circuits (IC), discrete electrical components, and interconnects. These techniques are applied using commercially available materials. These materials and methods enable custom wearable electronics while offering versatility in design and functionality for a variety of bio-monitoring applications.

Abstract: A garbage disposal snap ring installation tool that allows installation of the snap ring from underneath the sink by holding the strainer flange in place from below and using a two part snap ring expansion tool to place the snap ring.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an efficient fabrication approach to create highly customizable wearable electronics through rapid laser machining and adhesion-controlled soft materials assembly. Well-aligned, multi-layered materials can be created from 2D and 3D elements that stretch and bend while seamlessly integrating with rigid components such as microchip integrated circuits (IC), discrete electrical components, and interconnects. These techniques are applied using commercially available materials. These materials and methods enable custom wearable electronics while offering versatility in design and functionality for a variety of bio-monitoring applications.

Abstract: The invention provides novel devices, systems, designs, materials and fabrication methods that enable high-load capacity, easy release, and suitable for extended/repeated use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: The invention provides unique releasable adhesive devices that are high-load bearing and highly stable while allowing adjustment of the weight-bearing angle in a wide range, thereby greatly expanding the scope of applications for technology. Adhesive systems and devices of the invention can be designed to fit applications ranging from household weight-bearing shelves and holders, components for transportation, athletic equipment, labels and advertising posts, automobile interior trims, permanent or reversible fasteners, as well as instruments and devices for industrial, commercial, medical or military applications.