Robust pressure-actuated liquid metal devices showing reconfigurable electromagnetic effects at GHz frequencies

Pressure-actuated liquid metal devices are demonstrated for reconfigurable electromagnetic fundamentals at GHz frequencies, including tunable dipole antennas, switchable shielding with 35 dB attenuation, ~30 dB polarizer attenuation, and ~40 degree diffraction from a linear grating. In addition to a wide variety of electromagnetic effects, these devices are further advanced by: being highly physically flexible; in use of non-toxic GaInSn (68.5% Ga, 21.5% In, and 10.0% Sn ) alloy as enabled by a sealed closed system with an acidic vapor background; and non-alloying/corrosion-resistant carbon inks for electrical connection. Collectively, this work addresses a wide variety of electromagnetic fundamentals, and the device construction advances required for real-world applications.