Pea-sized liquid-metal pump could replace bulky compressors in future soft robots and wearable devices.
Engineers at the University of Bristol have developed a pea-sized liquid-metal pump that could replace bulky compressors in soft robots and wearable devices , potentially making future systems lighter, more portable, and more flexible.
The new pump, called the liquid-metal magnetohydrodynamic or LIMA pump, weighs just 0.2 grams and operates at less than 0.1 volts. Researchers say the technology could power soft robotic systems ranging from robotic legs and wearable haptic devices to medical tools and virtual reality interfaces. Soft robots today typically depend on rigid pumps or large pneumatic systems that limit movement and portability.
The Bristol team designed the LIMA pump to overcome those constraints by using liquid metal to convert electrical energy into fluid motion. To demonstrate the technology, researchers built robotic butterfly wings, a color-changing bracelet, and a haptic fingertip pouch connected to a wristband that squeezes to mimic touch sensations. The pump works by moving liquid metal droplets through a magnetic field.
When electric current flows through the droplets, it creates a Lorentz force that pushes the metal back and forth, generating pumping action inside the system. Researchers said the liquid metal’s high conductivity, deformability, and low resistance to movement allow the device to function at extremely low voltages while still producing useful pressure and flow rates.
“It’s a really exciting development, which overcomes the existing barriers of stiff bulkiness and offers something miniature, portable and more adaptable,” said Saba Firouznia, research associate at the University of Bristol Soft Robotics Lab. “These enhanced characteristics mean it could be deployed to better effect in existing uses like lab-on-a-chip devices for disease diagnosis and also with new ones, ranging from micro pumps for robotic clothing to tiny actuators environmental sampling. The sky really is the limit.
”, which often rely on bulky or high-voltage hardware, the LIMA pump integrates energy transfer, fluid movement, and signaling into a single soft platform.
“Unlike conventional soft pumps, which often rely on bulky, rigid, or high-voltage components, LIMA uses the intrinsic properties of liquid metal,” Firouznia explained. The researchers said the pump can transfer not only hydraulic energy but also chemical energy and information signals through soft fluidic networks, increasing its potential for integration into multifunctional robotic systems. Jonathan Rossiter, professor of robotics at the University of Bristol and co-author of the study, described the technology as a compact “heart” for future robotic systems.
“Crucially, the LIMA pump acts as a soft, compact ‘heart’ for robotic systems, combining pumping, signalling, and energy transfer in a single low-voltage platform,” Rossiter said. Researchers are now exploring additional applications for the technology, including smart bandages, robotic clothing, and edible robots. With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector.
Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs.
Haptic Gloves LIMA Pump Liquid Metal Pump Robotic Systems Soft Robotics University Of Bristol Wearable Devices
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