From Sidewalks to Smartphones: Scientists Transform Cement into Liquid Metal

In a move that could open up a world of innovation, scientists have discovered how to turn liquid cement into a liquid metal and, in doing so, open it up to use in consumer electronics for everything from thin films and protective coatings to computer chips.

“The new material has lots of applications, including as thin-film resistors used in liquid-crystal displays, basically the flat panel computer monitor that you are probably reading from at this moment,” Chris Benmore, a physicist from the U.S. Department of Energy and one of the participating researchers, said in a press release.

The discovery further demonstrates a unique way to make metallic-glass material, which is more resistant to corrosion than traditional metal and less brittle than traditional glass. Furthermore, it is conductive and easily processed and molded.

Up until this point, only metals have been able to transition to a metallic-glass form. However, through a process called electron trapping, which previously was only seen in ammonia solutions, the international team of scientists were able to develop a method to achieve this state in cement as well.

Specifically, this was done as scientists studied mayenite, a component of alumina cement made of calcium and aluminum oxides. By melting it at 2,000 degrees Celsius, the researchers were able to observe as the material was processed in different atmospheres in order to control the way oxygen bonded in the resulting glass.

To do this, the team used an aerodynamic levitator with carbon dioxide beam heating.

The levitator kept the hot liquid from touching any container surfaces and forming crystals, which then allowed it to cool into a glassy state that could trap electrons in the way needed for electronic conduction.

In doing so, the researchers discovered that the conductivity was created when the free electrons were “trapped” in the cage-like structures that formed in the glass.

To better uncover the details of the process, the scientists combined several experimental techniques and analyzed them using a supercomputer, later confirming their experiments using different X-ray techniques.

Ultimately, the researchers believe that their research doesn't just mark a breakthrough for cement, but other substances as well.

“Now that we know the conditions needed to create trapped electrons in materials we can develop and test other materials to find out if we can make them conduct electricity in this way,” Benmore said,