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Gallium's Unique Conductivity Revealed by New Research

4/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

University of Auckland researchers found that covalent bonds in gallium break at its melting point (about 30°C) and reappear at higher temperatures, challenging views of its liquid structure and explaining its unique conductivity.
A follow-up study found gallium's surface displays subtle geometric patterns, contradicting the idea of complete disorder in liquids.
The findings, published in Materials Horizons, could inform the design of liquid metal systems for batteries and flexible electronics.

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Story summary

University of Auckland researchers found that covalent bonds in gallium break at its melting point (about 30°C) and reappear at higher temperatures, challenging views of its liquid structure and explaining its unique conductivity.
A follow-up study found gallium's surface displays subtle geometric patterns, contradicting the idea of complete disorder in liquids.
The findings, published in Materials Horizons, could inform the design of liquid metal systems for batteries and flexible electronics.