Methods of Rapid 3D Nano/Microfabrication of Multifunctional Shell-Stabilized Liquid Metal Pipe Networks and Insulating/Metal Liquids Electro-Mechanical Switch and Capacitive Strain Sensor

• US 20170089774A1
• Filed: 05/15/2015
• Published: 03/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Original Assignee: Konrad Rykaczewski, Kyle Duodrick, Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Inventors: RYKACZEWSKI, Konrad, DOUDRICK, Kyle
• Granted Patent: US 10,451,494 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/30 designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages B05B11/0094 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 10/00 Processes of additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 70/00 Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/144 with associated circuitry G01L1/146 and G01L1/148 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 29/06 Liquid contacts characterised by the material thereof

Abstract

An electronic switch apparatus, a capacitive strain gauge apparatus and a nozzle apparatus, as well as methods for making electrodes such as liquid metal pipes are provided. A nozzle apparatus includes (a) a nozzle housing defining a cavity, where the nozzle housing defines an inlet at a first end and defines an outlet at a second end and (b) a first tube defining an inlet at a first end and defining an outlet at a second end, wherein the first tube is at least partially disposed in and is co-axially arranged with the nozzle housing, where the first tube defines a first flow channel, wherein a second flow channel is defined between an exterior surface of the first tube and an interior surface of the nozzle housing.

Claims

1. A nozzle apparatus, comprising:

a nozzle housing defining a cavity, wherein the nozzle housing defines an inlet at a first end and defines an outlet at a second end;

a first tube defining an inlet at a first end and defining an outlet at a second end, wherein the first tube is at least partially disposed in and is co-axially arranged with the nozzle housing, wherein the first tube defines a first flow channel, wherein a second flow channel is defined between an exterior surface of the first tube and an interior surface of the nozzle housing.

2. The nozzle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interior surface of the second end of the nozzle housing tapers inward towards the first tube.

3. The nozzle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second end of the first tube is coextensive with the second end of the nozzle housing such that the outlet of the first tube is arranged within the outlet of the nozzle housing.

4. The nozzle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second end of the first tube extends beyond the second end of the nozzle housing.

5. The nozzle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second end of the nozzle housing extends beyond the second end of the first tube such that the outlet of the first tube is arranged within the nozzle housing.

6. The nozzle apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a second tube defining an inlet at a first end and defining an outlet at a second end, wherein the second tube is at least partially disposed in and is co-axially arranged with the nozzle housing, wherein the first tube is at least partially disposed in and coaxially arranged with the second tube, wherein the second flow channel is further defined between an interior surface of the second tube and the exterior surface of the first tube, and wherein a third flow channel is defined between the interior surface of the nozzle housing and an exterior surface of the second tube.

7. The nozzle apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a liquid metal reservoir; and

a first fluid chamber.

8. The nozzle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid metal reservoir is in fluid communication with the first flow channel and the first fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the second flow channel.

9. The nozzle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the first flow channel and the liquid metal reservoir is in fluid communication with the second flow channel.

10. The nozzle apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a second fluid chamber, wherein the second fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the third flow channel.

11. A method, the method comprising:

flowing a liquid metal through a first flow channel to a first outlet;

flowing a first fluid through a second flow channel to a second outlet surrounding the first outlet; and

upon exiting the respective first outlet or second outlet, reacting the first fluid with the flowing liquid metal, creating an exterior shell on the liquid metal.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first fluid comprises one of an HCl vapor, air, oxygen, ozone, chlorinated gas, nitrous oxide, fluorinated gas, brominated gas, flame retardants non-binding polymers, a liquid with an oxide binding polymer, an electrolyte liquid with an imposed voltage or combinations thereof.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the exterior shell comprises solid oxide, solid chloride, solid nitride or a polymer.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

upon exiting the respective first outlet or second outlet, shaping the liquid metal via at least the first fluid.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein shaping the liquid metal comprises focusing the flowing liquid metal to a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first flow channel.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

flowing a second fluid through a third flow channel to a third outlet.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

upon exiting the third outlet, reacting the second fluid with one of the exterior shell or the flowing liquid metal.

18-23. -23. (canceled)

24. An electric switch apparatus, comprising:

a base comprising a first channel and a second channel;

an electrode disposed in the first channel, wherein the electrode comprises a cavity and a liquid metal disposed in the cavity; and

an electrically insulating liquid at least partially disposed in the second channel, wherein in a strained condition a portion of the electrically insulating liquid extends into the first channel dividing the electrode into at least two electrically isolated chambers within the first channel, and wherein in an unstrained condition the cavity of the electrode is undivided.

25-30. -30. (canceled)

31. An electric switch apparatus, comprising:

a base comprising one or more channels;

an electrode disposed in at least one of the one or more channels, wherein the electrode comprises a cavity and a liquid metal disposed in the cavity; and

a strain dependent gate defined by opposing walls of the channel, wherein in a strained condition the strain-dependent gate maintains an open position such that the cavity of the electrode is undivided, and wherein in an unstrained condition the strain-dependent gate maintains a closed position dividing the electrode into at least two electrically isolated chambers.

32-34. -34. (canceled)

35. A capacitive strain gauge apparatus, comprising:

a base defining a channel having a first end and a second end;

a first electrode disposed in the first end of the channel, wherein the first electrode comprises a first cavity and a first liquid metal disposed in the first cavity;

a second electrode disposed in the second end of the channel, wherein the second electrode comprises a second cavity and a second liquid metal disposed in the second cavity; and

an insulating liquid arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode.

36-47. -47. (canceled)