title: On-demand magnetic manipulation of liquid metal in microfluidic channels for electrical switching applications.
abstract: We report magnetic-field-driven on-demand manipulation of liquid metal in microfluidic channels filled with base or acid. The liquid metal was coated with iron (Fe) particles and treated with hydrochloric acid to have strong bonding strength with the Fe particles. The magnetic liquid metal slug inserted in the microchannel is manipulated, merged, and separated. In addition, corresponding to the repositioning of an external magnet, the liquid metal slug can be readily moved in microfluidic channels with different angles (>90°) and cross-linked channels in any direction. We demonstrated the functionality of the liquid metal in the microfluidic channel for electrical switching applications by manipulation of the liquid metal, resulting in the sequential turning on of light emitting diodes (LEDs).
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Myoungji University, Yongin, 449-728, Republic of Korea. junjynpyo@mju.ac.kr skchung@mju.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jinpyo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA. jblee@utdallas.edu.
authors.forename: Jeong-Bong
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Myoungji University, Yongin, 449-728, Republic of Korea. junjynpyo@mju.ac.kr skchung@mju.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Sang Kug
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Korea Army Academy at Yeong-cheon, 770-849, South Korea. jokuksarang64@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Daeyoung
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kim