Center for Innovative Technology

Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties Inc

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

James Rancourt

Larry T Taylor

Carlos Perry

Carlos V Perry, Jr

Liquid gallium or gallium alloy is utilized as a mercury substitute for a variety of applications. The liquid gallium or gallium alloy is either free of metal oxides or has only very low quantities of metal oxides.

Non-toxic liquid metal composition for use as a mercury substitute

A gallium-indium-zinc-copper metallic material has been found to exhibit many of the advantageous properties of mercury, such as electrical conductivity, fluidity, and high vaporization temperature. The metallic material is formulated by combining individual components in the presence of aqueous base, isolating the metallic phase, and heating the metallic combination. The metallic material is formulated to have sufficient quantities of each of the individual components such that the metallic material has a solidification temperature below 0.degree. C.

Metallic material with low melting temperature

Liquid gallium or gallium alloy is utilized as the conductive fluid in a switch or sensor housing. In order to prevent wetting of the interior walls of the switch or sensor housing, the liquid gallium or gallium alloy is either free of metal oxides or has only very low quantities of metal oxides.

Electrical switches and sensors which use a non-toxic liquid metal

With proper handling, Gallium-Indium-Tin eutectics are suitable for use as a substitute for mercury in switch applications. The eutectics should be acid washed to prevent oxidation of the metal components of the eutectic while in the switch housing and, further, the switch housing should be filled with an inert gas. Preventing oxidation ensures long term performance of the switch. In addition, provisions need to be made to prevent wetting of the switch housing by the eutectic. Experiments have shown that acid washing of metallic switch housings prior to adding the Gallium-Indium-Tin eutectic reduces or eliminates wetting by the eutectic. In addition, experiments have shown that coating the walls of the switch housing with a fluoropolymer coating prevents wetting by the eutectic.

Growing community of inventors

Blacksburg, VA, United States of America

James Rancourt