Noncontact rotation, levitation, and acceleration of flowing liquid metal wires

Abstract

Significance Streams of fluids, particulates, and other flowing media are difficult to control after they have left a nozzle. Here, we present the noncontact manipulation of a free-flowing stream of liquid metal. Such streams form by electrochemically lowering the interfacial tension. The electrochemical reactions make the streams into soft current–carrying conductors presenting minimal resistance to manipulation via the Lorentz force in the magnetic field. Meanwhile, the movement of the stream induces a secondary force arising from Lenz’s law that causes the manipulated streams to levitate in unique shapes. This work, which exploits these forces in a visually stunning manner, enables shaping of fluids in a noncontact manner.