Magnetic Field-Induced Recoverable Dynamic Morphological Change of Gallium-Based Liquid Metal

We report magnetic field-driven dynamic morphological change of a liquid metal droplet: deformation and recovery; separation and merge. Low melting, non-toxic gallium-based liquid metal has been widely investigated due to its material properties and thus utilized to various applications. Morphological change of the liquid metal in required to tune characteristics of application. In order to enable the liquid metal to be non-wettable and magnetically controllable, we coated the surface with ferromagnetic iron (Fe) particles using hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution resulting in a magnetic liquid metal marble. With and without magnetic field, Fe particles-coated magnetic liquid metal marble was deformed and recovered readily. Against similar to 8 mu L magnetic liquid metal marble, depending on the coated Fe particles mass, the shape deformation under magnetic field was changed: conventional (Fe < 4mg) and arbitrary (Fe >= 4mg) wetting shape. Accordingly, the deformability and recovery time of the magnetic liquid metal marble were varied. With an applied magnetic field, one marble was readily separated into 2, 3, and 4 marbles. Due to re-oxidation of the magnetic liquid metal marble surface, we treated the marble with HCl solution and vapor. Split and merge occurred depending on treatment time of HCl solution or vapor. Finally, we demonstrated magnetic field-based dynamic behavior which is reversible. [2020-0218]