Scientists have demonstrated the ability to 3D print liquid metal

Scientists at the University of North Carolina created the technology to print three-dimensional objects from a liquid alloy of gallium and indium. Description of the process published in the journal Advanced Materials, is briefly recounted the essence of the official website of the University.
The novelty of the design lies in the fact that scholars came to pick up the alloy of gallium and indium, which after printing continues to keep his form. The printed structure of the balls and the threads held by a thin film of oxide, and the inside remains liquid. Once the desired object is printed, it can be covered with the polymer and to thus stretch and flexible wires that are not destroyed by repeated tension and compression.



The metals included in the alloy composition have a low melting point is indium is about 157, and gallium slightly less than 30 degrees Celsius. Thus, in contrast to the more discoplay mercury, these metals are not dangerous to humans.
Previously, engineers have used alloys based on indium and gallium to create metal objects that could hold the form. Then the ability to restore the shape of the drops of metal attached with a special powder coating.

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