Gallium-Based Liquid Metal Particles for Therapeutics

The surface tension of gallium (Ga)-based liquid metals (LMs) can be broken using mechanical and chemical means, and smaller Ga-based LM particles (LMPs) can be constructed. Ga-based LMPs offer both fluidic and metallic cores and peculiar interfacial properties, which differ fundamentally from the properties of solid metal particles. Ga-based LMPs hold great potential for therapeutics. Functionalized Ga-based LMPs can be designed and activated for drug delivery, cancer treatment, bioimaging, and biosensing on stimulation by light, electromagnetic fields, mechanical means, or chemical reactions. Fundamental understanding of the effects of Ga-based LMPs’ surface oxides, their interactions with cells and their organelles, and their specific alloy composition with other elements should be further explored to expand the horizons of therapeutics using LMPs. Gallium (Ga) and Ga-based liquid metal (LM) alloys offer low toxicity, excellent electrical and thermal conductivities, and fluidity at or near room temperature. Ga-based LM particles (LMPs) synthesized from these LMs exhibit both fluidic and metallic properties and are suitable for versatile functionalization in therapeutics. Functionalized Ga-based LMPs can be actuated using physical or chemical stimuli for drug delivery, cancer treatment, bioimaging, and biosensing. However, many of the fundamentals of their unique characteristics for therapeutics remain underexplored. We present the most recent advances in Ga-based LMPs in therapeutics based on the underlying mechanisms of their design and implementation. We also highlight some future biotechnological opportunities for Ga-based LMPs based on their extraordinary advantages. Gallium (Ga) and Ga-based liquid metal (LM) alloys offer low toxicity, excellent electrical and thermal conductivities, and fluidity at or near room temperature. Ga-based LM particles (LMPs) synthesized from these LMs exhibit both fluidic and metallic properties and are suitable for versatile functionalization in therapeutics. Functionalized Ga-based LMPs can be actuated using physical or chemical stimuli for drug delivery, cancer treatment, bioimaging, and biosensing. However, many of the fundamentals of their unique characteristics for therapeutics remain underexplored. We present the most recent advances in Ga-based LMPs in therapeutics based on the underlying mechanisms of their design and implementation. We also highlight some future biotechnological opportunities for Ga-based LMPs based on their extraordinary advantages. metals combined with other metals or with other elements, where the combined materials exhibit metallic characteristics. the Auger effect occurs when an inner-shell vacancy of an atom is filled and accompanied by the emission of an electron, resulting in energy release. This energy can be as emitted photons or instead transferred to another ejected electron, called an Auger electron. on the application of a magnetic field, loops of electrical current are induced within conductors, which are called eddy currents. the potential range between the reduction and oxidation processes of an electrolyte. Within this range, the electrolyte is chemically stable, and when the potential exceeds this range the electrolyte undergoes oxidation or reduction. used to measure the dielectric properties (complex refractive index or dielectric function) of thin films. This technique assesses the polarization modulation of the films on reflection or transmission. a mixture of 75% gallium and 25% indium by weight with a melting point of ~15.7°C. a mixture of 68.5% gallium, 21.5% indium, and 10% tin by weight with a melting point of ~10°C. originates from the Marangoni effect that occurs when there is a gradient of surface tension at the interface between two phases. a phenomenon arising from plasmons, which are collective oscillations of electrons with a certain oscillation frequency (plasmon frequency). In response to an external electromagnetic field with a frequency range matching the plasmon frequency, plasmon resonance occurs in bulk metals or on the surface of metal nanostructures. The plasmonic effect on the surface of metal nanostructures is called the SPR. reactive species that are partially reduced or excited forms of oxygen (e.g., peroxides, superoxide, hydroxyl radical). a potentiostatic analytical technique for the quantification of ions in a liquid medium. The target ion is first electroplated on the electrode, followed by a stripping step where the electroplated ion is oxidized/removed from the electrode. The current measured during the stripping step is proportional to the ions in the medium. an effect that forces a liquid surface to contract into the smallest possible surface area, resulting in a net force of zero for molecules inside the liquid. defines the stiffness of a solid material as the relationship that associates stress and strain in the linear regime.