Multiscale all-soft electronic devices and circuits based on liquid metal

Abstract

In a method making a flexible electrical conductor, a mask layer (216) is applied to a substrate (210). A portion of the mask layer (216) is removed to expose the substrate (210) in an exposed shape (220) corresponding to the conductor. A liquid phase conductor (232) is applied to the portion of the substrate (210). The mask layer (216) is dissolved with a solvent (238) to leave a shaped liquid phase conductor (234) corresponding to the exposed shape on the substrate (210). A primary elastomer layer (240) is applied onto the substrate (210) and the shaped liquid phase conductor (234). The primary elastomer layer (240) and the shaped liquid phase conductor (234) are removed from the substrate (210). A secondary elastomer layer (242) is applied to the shaped liquid phase conductor (234) and the primary elastomer layer (240) to seal the shaped liquid phase conductor (234) therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic element, comprising:
 (a) an elastomer member defining a channel, in which the channel has a length and a width that are at least 500 μm; and   (b) a liquid phase conductor filling the channel.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic element of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomer member comprises polydimethylsiloxane. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic element of  claim 1 ,wherein the liquid phase conductor comprises a eutectic alloy. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic element of  claim 3 , wherein the eutectic alloy comprises a eutectic gallium-indium alloy.