SBIR Phase I: Liquid Metal-Elastomer Composite for Electromagnetic Shielding

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是提供新的方法和材料，以改善电磁干扰（EMI）和射频（RF）屏蔽。 EMI/RF屏蔽对于保护电子设备免受电磁破坏、干扰或数据窃取至关重要。 这些电子设备的不间断运行在现有和新兴的产品和应用中是必不可少的，从移动的技术和个人计算到物联网、智能纺织品和可穿戴电子产品。 然而，机械接触不良和可靠密封问题是与这些应用相关的EMI/RF屏蔽应用的关键痛点。 性能的提高取决于可高度变形的材料，并且可以在配合表面之间保持低的“不一致性”，这一严峻的挑战推动了对更柔软和更可变形的EMI/RF屏蔽材料的商业需求。该项目将推动新材料的开发。该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将开发一种材料技术，该技术将高性能电磁干扰（EMI）与极端弹性，机械顺应性和韧性相结合。 该技术基于液态金属嵌入弹性体（LIPE）架构，其中液态金属的液滴悬浮在软弹性体基质内。这些复合材料具有其他弹性体不可能具有的特性的独特组合：（i）高导电性，（ii）高应变极限，（iii）低弹性模量，和（iv）高断裂韧性。由于其高导电性，LMEE可有效干扰电磁波和RF信号。 此外，由于其高弹性和抗撕裂性，LIPE可用于管道，软管，密封件，垫圈和橡胶包装以及袋子，服装和其他纺织品中的EMI屏蔽。 该项目将产生一种具有足够导电性的锂离子复合材料，以屏蔽电子设备免受宽频率范围内的干扰。 此外，它具有机械坚固性，在撕裂或刺穿时可抵抗液态金属泄漏。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估而被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to provide new methods and materials to improve electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency (RF) shielding. EMI/RF shielding are critical for protecting electronic devices from electromagnetic disruption, interference, or data theft. The uninterrupted operation of these electronic devices is essential in a wide range of existing and emerging products and applications, from mobile technologies and personal computing to internet of things, smart textiles, and wearable electronics. However, poor mechanical contact and issues with reliable sealing are critical pain points for EMI/RF shielding applications related to these applications. Improved performance depends on materials that are highly deformable and can maintain a low "lack of conformity" between mating surfaces, an acute challenge that has driven commercial demand for softer and more deformable EMI/RF shielding materials. This project will advance the development of a new material. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a materials technology that combines high performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) with extreme elasticity, mechanical compliance, and toughness. This technology is based on a liquid metal embedded elastomer (LMEE) architecture in which droplets of liquid metal are suspended within a soft elastomer matrix. These composites have a unique combination of properties not possible with other elastomers: (i) high electrical conductivity, (ii) high strain limit, (iii) low elastic modulus, and (iv) high fracture toughness. Because of its high electrical conductivity, LMEEs are effective in disrupting electromagnetic waves and RF signals. Furthermore, because of its high elasticity and tear resistance, LMEE can be used for EMI shielding within tubing, hoses, seals, gaskets, and rubber-based packaging as well as in bags, clothing, and other textiles. This project will result in an LMEE composite with adequate conductivity to shield electronic devices from interference over a wide range of frequencies. Moreover, it will be mechanically robust and resistance to the leakage of liquid metal when torn or punctured.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.