• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.198-204
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• 2019

In this study, we propose a wearable force sensor using 3D printed mold and liquid metal. Liquid metal, such as Galinstan, is one of the promising functional materials in stretchable electronics known for its intrinsic mechanical and electronic properties. The proposed soft force sensor measures the external force by the resistance change caused by the cross-sectional area change. Fused deposition modeling-based 3D printing is a simple and cost-effective fabrication of resilient elastomers using liquid metal. Using a 3D printed microchannel mold, 3D multichannel Galinstan microchannels were fabricated with a serpentine structure for signal stability because it is important to maintain the sensitivity of the sensor even in various mechanical deformations. We performed various electro-mechanical tests for performance characterization and verified the signal stability while stretching and bending. The proposed sensor exhibited good signal stability under 100% longitudinal strain, and the resistance change ranged within 5% of the initial value. We attached the proposed sensor on the finger joint and evaluated the signal change during various finger movements and the application of external forces.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.66-72
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• 2019

The observation satellites which uses high heat-dissipating equipment such as synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites require a radiator to transmit heat from the equipment into outer space. However, during cold conditions it requires a heater to maintain the temperature of equipment within the allowable minimum limit when it is not in operation. In this study, we proposed a variable conductivity radiator that changes its thermal conductivity value through movement of the liquid metal between two reservoirs based on the temperature condition. This reduces the power consumption of the heater by limiting heat transfer path to the radiator in cold condition, while effectively transferring heat to the radiator during hot condition. The feasibility of the proposed radiator was validated through comparison of the thermal control performance with the conventional fixed conductivity radiator via a thermal analysis.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.106-111
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• 2021

There are several studies on reducing the friction that occurs on the relative sliding contact surface of moving parts under extreme environments. In particular, a solid lubricated bearing is studied to solve the tribological problem with friction reduction and durability parts using solid lubricants (lead or silver) in a vacuum atmosphere. Galinstan is mainly used as a liquid metal lubricant, but it is inevitable to have limited tribological applications owing to its high coefficient of friction. Many researchers work on surface texturing for surface modification and precision processing methods. To increase durability and low friction, DLC coating with hydrophobicity is applied on the contact surface texture. Therefore, using an untextured specimen, a dimple specimen, and a DLC-coated dimple specimen under liquid metal lubrication, this paper presents the following experimental sliding friction characteristics in the sliding friction test. 1) The average coefficient of friction of the DLC-coated dimple specimen and dimple specimen are lower compared to that of a non-patterned specimen. 2) In the DLC-coated dimple specimens, the average coefficient of friction changes according to the change in the dimple density. 3) DLC-coated dimple specimens with a density of 12.5 have the lowest average coefficient of friction under 41.6 N of normal load and 143.3 RPM.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.246-251
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• 2023

RADAR(Radio Detection and Ranging) is an important system for surveillance and reconnaissance by detecting a reflected signal which obtains the range from the radar to the target, and the velocity of the target. The magnitude of the reflected signal varies due to the radar cross section of the target, characteristic of the transmission and reception antenna, distance between the radar and the target, and power and wavelength of the transmitted signal. Thus, the RCS is the important characteristic of the target to determine if the target can be observed by the RADAR system. It is based on the material and shape of the target. We have measured the reflection signal of a simple square-shaped (20 × 20 cm) target made of a new material, a gallium-based liquid metal alloy and compared that of well-known metals including copper, aluminum. The magnitude of reflected signal of the aluminum target was the largest and it was 2.4 times larger than that of the liquid metal target. We also investigated the effect of the shape by measuring reflectance of the F-22 3D model(~1/95 ratio) target covered with/without copper, aluminium, and liquid metal. The largest magnitude of the reflected signal measured from side-view with the copper-covered F-22 model was 2.6 times greater than that of liquid metal. The reflectance study of the liquid metal would be helpful for liquid metal-based frequency selective surface or metamaterials.