Abstract: A conducting shear thinning gel composition and methods of making such a composition are disclosed. The conducting shear thinning gel composition includes a mixture of a eutectic gallium alloy and gallium oxide, wherein the mixture of eutectic gallium alloy and gallium oxide has a weight percentage (wt %) of between about 59.9% and about 99.9% eutectic gallium alloy, and a wt % of between about 0.1% and about 2.0% gallium oxide. Also disclosed are articles of manufacture, comprising the shear thinning gel composition, and methods of making article of manufacture having a shear thinning gel composition. Also disclosed are sensors and multiplexed systems utilizing deformable conductors.

Abstract: A sensor may include a bladder, and a deformable conductor disposed on the bladder such that deformation of the bladder causes deformation of the deformable conductor, wherein the bladder is constrained so as to enhance the deformation of the conductor in response to the deformation of the bladder. A method may include applying a stimulus to a bladder having a deformable conductor attached thereto, detecting a change in an electrical characteristic associated with the deformable conductor in response to the stimulus, and selectively constraining the bladder to amplify the change in electrical characteristic in response to the stimulus.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micro normally-closed structure. The method includes steps of providing a flexible arm, and a stationary base and a fixed contact separated from the flexible arm, wherein the flexible arm is free to move and includes a first end configured at one terminal and a movable contact configured at another terminal, the transient base is configured at where corresponds to the first end, and the fixed contact is configured at where corresponds to the movable contact; forming a temporary electrical connection between the first end and the stationary base; forming a temporary electrical conduction between the movable contact and the fixed contact; maintaining the temporary electrical connection and the temporary electrical conduction; and securing the first end to the stationary base permanently which causes the temporary electrical connection turn into a permanent electrical connection and the temporary electrical conduction turn into the micro normally-closed structure.

Abstract: A liquid micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) component includes a board, a channel, multiple liquid droplets, and one or more conductive elements. The channel is within the board and contains the multiple liquid droplets. A first liquid droplet has first properties and a second liquid droplet has second properties. When a force is applied upon the first and second liquid droplets, the first liquid droplet changes in accordance with the first properties with respect to the one or more conductive elements and the second liquid droplet changes in accordance with the second properties with respect to the one or more conductive elements thereby changing one or more characteristics of the liquid MEMS component.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus includes a housing defining a channel, a plunger slidably engaged with an inner surface of the channel, a substrate with one or more passages each having two or more openings, a liquid in each of the one or more passages, at least one fluid, and a force application system. The substrate is disposed in the channel on one side of the plunger. The liquid in each of the one or more passages has a volume which exceeds an internal volume of each the one or more passages and forms a liquid drop around each of the openings. The liquid drops are fluidly connected to one another and each of the liquid drops is individually adjustable between two or more sizes. Each of the sizes and a location of each of the liquid drops define one of two or more switch positions. The fluid is located in the channel on the one side of the plunger and substantially surrounding the liquid drops.

Abstract: Encapsulated switches are disclosed which substitute non-toxic gallium alloy for mercury. In one embodiment, wetting of the interior surfaces of the housing is prevented by coating the surfaces with an electrically insulative inorganic non-metallic material, such as alumina or boron nitrate. According to another embodiment, a perfluorocarbon liquid is employed as the anti-wetting agent.

Abstract: A liquid electrical switch is disclosed that uses a plurality of droplets of conducting liquid to form an electrical path. In a first embodiment, at least a first voltage differential is used to create a separation distance between two droplets. The droplets are illustratively contained within a housing and surrounded by an immiscible, insulating liquid. In this embodiment, the at least a first voltage differential draws at least a portion of at least one of the droplets away from a second droplet, thus preventing electrical current from flowing from the at least one droplet to the second droplet. In another embodiment, the at least a first voltage differential is changed in a way such that at least one liquid droplet is made to come into contact with a second droplet, thus creating an electrical path between the two droplets.

Abstract: An optical relay is disclosed in which a liquid metal droplet is moved within a switching channel formed in relay housing. An optical path passing through the switching channel is blocked or unblocked by motion of the liquid metal droplet that coalesces with one of two additional liquid metal droplets. Motion of the liquid metal droplets is controlled by heaters that control the pressure of an actuation gas in the switching channel. The liquid metal droplets are held in place by surface tension acting on wettable contact pads within the switching channel. The surface tension of the liquid provides a latching mechanism for the relay. The pressure of the actuation gas is increased by direct heating of the gas or by heating a phase-change liquid to cause it to evaporate.

Abstract: The switch device comprises a pair of cavities, an elongate passage, a non-conductive fluid having a high electrical resistance, a conductive fluid having a high electrical conductivity and an electrical path. The passage is in fluid communication with the cavities and has a substantially elliptical cross-section over at least part of its length. The non-conductive fluid is disposed in each of the cavities. The conductive fluid is located in the passage. The electrical path is changeable between a connected state and a disconnected state by the non-conductive fluid separating the conductive fluid in the passage into non-contiguous conductive fluid portions.

Abstract: Liquid metal micro-switches. Liquid metal micro-switches and techniques for fabricating them in integrally shielded microcircuits are disclosed. The liquid metal micro-switches can be integrated directly into the construction of shielded thick film microwave modules. This integration is useful in applications requiring high frequency switching with high levels of electrical isolation.

Abstract: A gallium based switch or sensor devices, and a process for producing such devices, in which gallium or a gallium alloy, the surface oxide is separated either in-situ or ex-situ and placed in a switching capsule. Reagents which separate the oxide without dissolving either gallium alloy or the oxide are found and can be used in the in-situ or ex-situ configurations. In-situ fluids separate the oxide layer allowing switch functionality. A electrically non-conducting carrier liquid may contain the oxide separating agent and may be used within the switching capsule. The oxide separating fluid further prevents oxidation of the metal or alloy and thereby prevents wetting of the capsule surface by the metal or alloy to allow for good electrical performance of the switch.

Abstract: Liquid metal micro-switches. Liquid metal micro-switches and techniques for fabricating them in integrally shielded microcircuits are disclosed. The liquid metal micro-switches can be integrated directly into the construction of shielded thick film microwave modules. This integration is useful in applications requiring high frequency switching with high levels of electrical isolation.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprised of a housing defining a cavity, at least two spaced electrodes extending through the housing into the cavity, and wherein at least one of said at least two electrodes is composed of gallium wetted tantalum or tantalum alloy, and a moveable amount of liquid gallium or liquid gallium alloy within the cavity to electrically connect and disconnect any two of said at least two electrodes as a result of movement of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a liquid in a liquid metal micro-switch. In representative embodiments, the apparatus comprises a heater and a sub-channel inside a structure. The heater is located inside a cavity of the structure onto which the liquid metal micro-switch is fabricated. The sub-channel inside the structure connects the cavity to a main channel. The sub-channel has a cross-sectional area. The value of the cross-sectional area at the boundary between the sub-channel and the main channel is less than the value of the cross-sectional area at the boundary between the sub-channel and the cavity. The gas permeates the cavity and the sub-channel and is capable of extending into the main channel.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrical switch comprised of a housing defining a cavity, at least two spaced electrodes, each electrode extending through the housing into the cavity, and wherein at least one of said at least two electrodes is composed of tantalum or tantalum alloy, and a moveable amount of liquid gallium or liquid gallium alloy within the cavity to electrically connect and disconnect any two of said at least two electrodes as a result of movement of the housing.

Abstract: A three-axis gravity switch having a curved chamber with an inner wall in the shape of a convex hemisphere and an outer wall in the shape of a concave hemisphere which retains a gravity responsive member such as a ball of liquid mercury, the chamber having a three-dimensional sensing pathway defined on at least one of its walls, where the gravity responsive member and pathway are conductive, either electrically or optically, such that a circuit is completed when the gravity responsive member contacts the pathway, where the switch can be rotated, inverted and translated in three dimensions such that the pathway defines an acceptable three dimensional course of rotation for the switch.

Abstract: An attitude sensing electrical switch uses an electrically conductive powder as the switching medium. The powder has a particle size and shape that enables it to flow smoothly into and out of contact with electrical terminals mounted in the switch. Silver, gold, and copper powders with a particle size between one-hundred-forty and three-hundred microns perform effectively.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical power relay uses mercury, or a similar liquid metal with high surface tension, as a flexible non-degrading contact mechanism. The basic systematic requirements for the micro-relay include large current carrying capacity, high speed, use of control voltages readily available in the given application, and an acceptable hold-off voltage. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the novel configuration of a liquid metal current carrying switching device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical devices incorporating mesoscopically conductive liquids. The devices of the present invention include switches constructed such that in one configuration a charge carrying element, such as an electrode, is insulated from a charge receiving element by a thick (super-mesoscopic) layer of a mesoscopically conductive liquid; and in another configuration, the charge carrying elements are proximate each other and the charge is conducted between the elements by a thin (sub-mesoscopic) layer of a mesoscopically conductive liquid. Preferred embodiments of the switches of the present invention are suitable substitutes for switches, relays, or other switching interfaces.

Abstract: A switch having spaced apart conductors with a high resistivity gate member therebetween. First and second mercury droplets are respectively connected to the ends of the conductors. When a control signal is applied to the gate member, the mercury droplets are drawn to it and establish electrical connection between the conductors to close the switch. Upon removal of the control signal the mercury droplets separate and assume their initial droplet form thus opening the switch.

Abstract: Liquid gallium or gallium alloy is utilized as a mercury substitute for a variety of applications. The liquid gallium or gallium alloy is either free of metal oxides or has only very low quantities of metal oxides.

Abstract: Liquid gallium or gallium alloy is utilized as the conductive fluid in a switch or sensor housing. In order to prevent wetting of the interior walls of the switch or sensor housing, the liquid gallium or gallium alloy is either free of metal oxides or has only very low quantities of metal oxides.

Abstract: With proper handling, Gallium-Indium-Tin eutectics are suitable for use as a substitute for mercury in switch applications. The eutectics should be acid washed to prevent oxidation of the metal components of the eutectic while in the switch housing and, further, the switch housing should be filled with an inert gas. Preventing oxidation ensures long term performance of the switch. In addition, provisions need to be made to prevent wetting of the switch housing by the eutectic. Experiments have shown that acid washing of metallic switch housings prior to adding the Gallium-Indium-Tin eutectic reduces or eliminates wetting by the eutectic. In addition, experiments have shown that coating the walls of the switch housing with a fluoropolymer coating prevents wetting by the eutectic.

Abstract: An acceleration responsive switch, for operating an air bag system installed in an automobile, includes a cylindrical receptacle for containing an electrically conductive liquid such as mercury and an inert gas, a metallic lid having an open end and hermetically secured to the open end of the receptacle, and a pair of electrodes having one ends extended into the receptacle through the open end of the lid, respectively such that the one ends of the electrodes are brought into contact with the conductive liquid when a shock acting on the receptacle causes the conductive liquid to move within the receptacle.

Abstract: A mercury switch device comprising a pool of mercury and a plurality of electrical contacts made of or coated with a non-wettable material such as titanium diboride.

Abstract: A free-floating self-contained swimming pool alarm unit in which a hollow housing forms a float structure having an internal chamber within which an audible alarm device is mounted adjacent sound transmitting openings in a top wall of the housing. An upstanding flared chimney surrounds the openings and provides a sound amplifying horn, the outer end of the chimney being provided with a shielding cap. Electronic control is arranged to trigger and activate the alarm device by connecting it to an electric source in the housing in response to the operation of a liquid sensor switch as a result of tilting movements of the housing due to wave disturbances produced by an object or person falling into the pool. Once the alarm is triggered, it will continue to operate until deactivated by an appropriate switch such as a manual switch mounted in an accessible portion of the housing.

Abstract: A device is disclosed which, in response to forces acting upon it, such as gravity, inertia, magnetic fields and the like, opens or closes electric circuits or otherwise generates signals which may be used to control predetermined functions.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing vibration in a centrifugal separator comprising an upright electric motor supported by a resilient member from a machine casing and wherein excessive vibration of the motor is detected for opening an electric power circuit of the motor. A mercury type vibration sensitive element is employed in the detector and comprises a mercury contact in a metallic casing. The vibration sensitive element is attached to a resilient plate and is in pressure contact with a lateral surface of a casing of the motor.