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Nanodroplets for stretchable superconducting circuits

Long Ren, Jincheng Zhuang, Gilberto Casillas, Haifeng Feng, Yuqing Liu, Xun Xu, Yundan Liu, Jun Chen, Yi Du, Lei Jiang, Shi Xue Dou

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

The prospective utilization of nanoscale superconductors as micro/nanocoils or circuits with superior current density and no electrical resistance loss in next-generation electronics or electromagnetic equipment represents a fascinating opportunity for new microsystem technologies. Here, a family of superconducting liquid metals (Ga-In-Sn alloys) and their nanodroplets toward printable and stretchable superconducting micro/nanoelectronics is developed. By tuning the composition of liquid metals the highest superconducting critical temperature (Tc) in this family can be modulated and achieved as high as 6.6 K. The liquid metal nanodroplets retain their bulk superconducting properties and can be easily dispersed in different solvents as inks. The printable and stretchable superconducting micro/nano coils, circuits and electrodes have been fabricated by inkjet printer or laser etching by using superconducting nanodroplets inks. This novel superconducting system greatly promotes the commercial utilization of superconductors into advanced flexible micro/nanoelectronic devices and offers a new platform for developing more application with superconductors.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8111-8118
Number of pages8
JournalAdvanced Functional Materials
Volume26
Issue number44
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Nov 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Liquid metal
  • Printing electronics
  • Stretchable micro/nanoelectronics
  • Superconductors

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