In accordance with the invention, a piezoelectrically actuated relay that switches
and latches by means of a solid slug and liquid metal is disclosed. The relay operates
by means of a longitudinal displacement of a piezoelectric element in extension
mode displacing a liquid metal drop and causing it to wet between at least one
contact pad on the piezoelectric element or substrate and at least one other fixed
pad to close the switch contact. This motion of the piezoelectric element is rapid
and causes the imparted momentum of the solid slug and liquid metal drop to overcome
the surface tension forces that would hold the bulk of the liquid metal drop in
contact with the contact pad or pads near the actuating piezoelectric element.
The switch latches by means of surface tension and the liquid metal wetting to
the contact pads.
