Texas A&M University Researchers Create Breakthrough Metallic Gel

College Station, Texas, October 24, 2025

News Summary

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed the first known metallic gel, a material made entirely from metal powders, offering groundbreaking potential for energy storage solutions. This innovative gel can withstand extreme heat of up to 1,000 degrees Celsius and has applications in liquid metal batteries and hypersonic vehicles. The team’s findings, published in ‘Advanced Engineering Materials’, highlight the advantages of metallic gels over traditional organic gels, making energy storage safer and more efficient.

College Station, Texas – Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed the first known metallic gel, a promising breakthrough that has the potential to transform energy storage solutions. This innovative gel, comprised entirely of metal powders, offers significant advantages over traditional gels that typically rely on organic materials.

The metallic gel possesses the remarkable ability to withstand extreme heat, withstanding temperatures as high as 1,000 degrees Celsius (or 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit). Its formation involves a unique process where two metal powders are mixed; one metal transitions into a liquid while the other remains solid. This process creates a microscopic scaffold that maintains the shape of the liquid metal, a critical factor as pure liquid metals often suffer from structural collapse.

Dr. Michael J. Demkowicz, a professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Texas A&M, spearheaded the research team that developed this material. The potential application of metallic gels as electrodes in liquid metal batteries (LMBs) stands out as one of the most notable use cases. LMBs, which function by storing and releasing substantial amounts of electrical energy using layers of liquid metal instead of traditional solid materials, present improved durability and efficiency.

One of the main challenges facing existing LMBs is the risk of liquid components shifting during movement, which can result in short circuits. The introduction of metallic gels could offer a solution to this problem by effectively stabilizing the liquid metal, thus preventing such occurrences. A small lab prototype of a battery featuring metallic gel electrodes has already demonstrated effective electricity production while preserving the integrity of the electrodes.

Research Background and Findings

The investigation into metallic gels initially stemmed from a study examining metal composites, specifically looking at the interactions between copper and tantalum. The accidental discovery of metallic gels emerged when the team found that mixtures where tantalum comprises more than 18% can sustain the gel form even when exposed to heat. High-resolution micro-CT scans provided critical insights into the material’s internal structure, revealing that tantalum forms a solid framework around the liquid copper.

Building upon these promising results, the research team now intends to explore other practical metals such as iron, bismuth, and calcium, with the aim of creating LMBs that can be utilized in mobile applications. Importantly, potential uses for these metallic gels extend to applications in hypersonic vehicles, which can operate at elevated temperatures. This focus aligns with ongoing research at the Texas A&M University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics.

The findings of this groundbreaking study have been published in the journal Advanced Engineering Materials and feature contributions from co-authors including Dr. Brady G. Butler, Dr. James D. Paramore, and Dr. Karl T. Hartwig, all affiliated with Texas A&M University.

Key Features of Metallic Gels

• First known metallic gel, made entirely from metal powders
• Can withstand temperatures up to 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Stabilizes liquid metal for use in liquid metal batteries (LMBs)
• Formed by mixing liquid and solid metal, creating a scaffold structure
• Potential applications include mobile energy storage and hypersonic vehicles

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Additional Resources

• Tech Xplore: Metallic Gel Breakthrough
• Wikipedia: Energy Storage
• Interesting Engineering: Metallic Gel and Liquid Metal Batteries
• Google Search: Liquid Metal Batteries
• Metal AM: Texas A&M Receives Funding for Military Components
• Google Scholar: Metallic Gel
• Metal AM: Boosting Metal Additive Manufacturing
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Additive Manufacturing
• Wiley Online: Advanced Engineering Materials
• Google News: Texas A&M University
• Nature: Scientific Research Articles

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