Formation of nanoparticle-coated liquid metal droplets and measurement of their electronic properties.

We form stable droplets of molten metal, investigate their stability, and demonstrate their potential for forming electronic devices. Droplets of liquid Ga, 0.1-100 microns in diameter, were stabilized by surfactants and by insulating, conducting, and semiconducting nanoparticles. We investigate electronic transport through the nanoparticle-coated droplets. Here we use silica, gold and CdSe nanoparticles which spontaneously form a layer on the droplets. A few droplets form junctions between two platinum wires; we apply a bias voltage to the wires and measure the current before and after evaporation of the solvent. Improved understanding of the electrical characteristics may allow inexpensive assembly of a large number of devices with controlled size, symmetry and function. We acknowledge support from the Center for UMass/Industry Research on Polymers (CUMIRP).