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 achieving the delicate balance between flexibility and electrical conductivity. 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 electrical conductivity. In this review article, we comprehensively examine the domain of self-healing liquid metals from the standpoint of typical mechanisms underlying self-healing processes, 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 prospect along this direction is made.