Metallic gel discovery could make liquid metal batteries safer

Researchers at Texas A&M University have created the world’s first metallic gel, a novel material that combines solid and liquid metal phases to form a gel-like structure capable of withstanding extreme heat. This metallic gel is produced by mixing two powdered metals and heating them until one melts while the other remains solid, creating a fine internal scaffold that traps the molten metal inside. Unlike traditional gels made from organic materials, this metallic gel is entirely metallic and can survive temperatures around 1,000°C (1,832°F). The discovery challenges previous assumptions that liquid metals could not be supported by an internal solid skeleton, with copper and tantalum mixtures demonstrating stable gel-like behavior. This breakthrough has significant implications for liquid metal batteries (LMBs), which use molten metal layers to store and release energy but face challenges due to liquid metal shifting and causing short circuits during movement. The metallic gel’s ability to hold liquid metal in place could enable LMBs to function reliably in dynamic environments such as ships or heavy industrial vehicles