Engineers from North Carolina State University have developed an elastic material that is impenetrable to liquids and gases.

To develop the new elastic material, the team used liquid metal to accomplish what previous materials could not: be both flexible and impenetrable to gases and liquids.

Source: North Caroline State University

Before this development, there had been a trade-off in terms of elasticity and impenetrability. Material that would successfully keep gases out were largely stiff and rigid while elastic materials allowed for gas seepage.

To create the new material that is reportedly impenetrable to both gases and liquids, the researchers used eutectic alloy of gallium and indium (EGaIn). a thin film of EGaIn, which is liquid at room temperature, was created and encased in an elastic polymer, the interior surface of which was studded with microscale glass bead that prevented the liquid film of EGaIn from pooling. The result of this, according to the researchers, is an elastic bag or sheath lined with liquid metal that halts the passage of gases or liquids either in or out.

The team assessed the extent to which the new material enabled the liquid contents to evaporate, as well as the extent to which the material enabled oxygen to leak out of a sealed container composed of the material. As such, no measurable loss of either oxygen or liquid for the new material was documented.

Although the liquid metals can reportedly be expensive, the researchers suggested that making thinner films of the material could reduce costs. and they are currently eyeing the material for the manufacture of packaging technologies for flexible batteries that need to be protected from gases.

"We're also looking for industry partners to explore potential applications for this work. Flexible batteries for use with soft electronics is one obvious application, but other devices that either use liquids or are sensitive to oxygen will benefit from this technology," the researchers explained.

The team detailed their research in the article, "Liquid Metal-Based Soft and Hermetic Seals for Stretchable Systems," which appears in the journal Science.