Defying conventions with a liquid metal-embedded hybrid elastomer composite

导电弹性复合材料是用于制造传感器和互连的柔性/可穿戴电子设备中的关键部件之一;然而，传统复合材料对应变的敏感性相对较低，并且当拉伸时其导电性降低（即，它们表现出负压电传导效应）。该项目旨在了解嵌入液态金属的混合弹性体（LMHE）所表现出的前所未有的正压电效应，并探索其解决传统材料所面临的关键挑战的潜力。该项目的成果将通过开发高性能复合材料，使先进制造业受益，从而彻底改变未来的可穿戴电子技术。

Conductive elastic composites are one of the key components used in flexible/wearable electronic devices in the manufacture of sensors and interconnects; however, conventional composites experience a relatively low sensitivity to strain, and their conductivity decreases when stretched (i.e. they exhibit a negative piezoconductive effect). This project aims to understand the unprecedented positive piezoconductive effect exhibited on the liquid metal-embedded hybrid elastomer (LMHE) and explore its potential to address the key challenges faced by conventional materials. The outcomes of this project will benefit the advanced manufacturing sector by developing high-performance composites to revolutionise future wearable electronic technologies.