Room temperature self-healing liquid metals:capabilities,applications and challenges

Self-healing materials span diverse application fields,including flexible electronics,soft robotics,and energy devices.However,conventional self-healing materials pose a challenge in achiev-ing the delicate balance between flexibility and electrical con-ductivity.Moreover,they also suffer from prolonged healing times,incomplete healing,and high manufacturing costs.Liquid metals possess excellent self-healing capabilities owing to their unique combination of fluidic and metallic properties,high surface tension,and reversible solid-liquid phase change at room temperature,offering an intriguing material option for addressing the challenges associated with flexibility and elec-trical conductivity.In this review article,we comprehensively examine the domain of self-healing liquid metals from the standpoint of typical mechanisms underlying self-healing pro-cesses,as well as practical strategies employed for achieving such rejuvenation.Additionally,we explore representative applications that showcase the potential of these materials while aiming to provide a valuable reference for advancing and enhancing the field of self-healing materials.Future pro-spect along this direction is made.