Reconfigurable liquid metal and graphene power source

• Main Authors: Ordonez, Richard C, Garmire, David, Kamin, Nackieb M, Hayashi, Cody K
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 12.06.2018
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES ORLIGHT-SENSITIVE DEVICES, OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE; ELECTRICITY; PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSIONOF CHEMICAL INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

A device includes an electrolyte disposed between a layer of graphene and liquid metal. A system based upon the device includes a substrate having first and second layers of graphene and an enclosure disposed thereon. The enclosure encases the first and second layers of graphene and has a channel formed therein. A first end of the channel is disposed over at least a portion of the first layer of graphene and a second end of the channel is disposed over at least a portion of the second layer of graphene. An electrolyte disposed within the channel. Liquid metal is disposed within the electrolyte such that the liquid metal is separated from the first layer of graphene and the second layer of graphene by the electrolyte. The liquid metal is movable within the electrolyte to reconfigure power delivery to different connected loads.