Large-Scale Nanofiber Manufacturing| Stretchable and Permeable Liquid Metal MicromeshesFeaturing Strain-Insensitive Resistance Through In SituStructuralTransformations

Professor Kong Desheng and Professor Lu Yanqing from Nanjing University: Stretchable, Permeable Liquid Metal Micro-Mesh with Strain-Insensitive Resistance via In-Situ Structural Transformation

Challenge: Gallium-based liquid metals show great promise for applications in stretchable electronics and beyond. However, these materials often experience significant resistance increases during stretching and have negligible permeability to gases and liquids.

Approach: Professor Lu Yanqing and Professor Kong Desheng from Nanjing University proposed an in-situ structural transformation mechanism to create stretchable and permeable liquid metal micro-meshes with strain-insensitive resistance. Using spin-coating technology combined with metal templates, they applied liquid metal onto elastic microfiber fabrics to form high-resolution conductive patterns. By controlling process parameters, the liquid metal coating was fabricated into a porous micro-mesh structure that maintains good breathability.

Innovation 1: During initial stretching, the natural oxide layer on the liquid metal micro-mesh surface grows accordingly, preventing complete rebound and transforming the smooth surface into a wrinkled structure. This microstructural change shifts the deformation mode of the liquid metal coating from stretch-relaxation to fold-unfolding, significantly suppressing resistance variations.

Innovation 2: When integrated into Janus textiles with unidirectional water transport capability, these micro-mesh conductors serve as sensing electrodes that acquire high-fidelity biopotentials even during profuse sweating.