Liquid Wire Inc. Company Profile

Background

Overview

Liquid Wire Inc., founded in 2016 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, specializes in the development of stretchable and flexible electronic circuits. The company has pioneered the use of Metal Gel™ technology, a non-toxic gallium-based alloy, to create pliable circuits that can be integrated into various substrates, including plastics and textiles. This innovation enables the embedding of sophisticated sensors and data transmission electronics directly into comfortable, form-fitting garments and other flexible materials.

Mission and Vision

Liquid Wire's mission is to produce electronics that flex and stretch naturally while being embedded invisibly in functional materials. This approach aims to revolutionize the integration of electronics into everyday objects, enhancing comfort and functionality without compromising performance. The company's vision is to lead the emerging field of pliable and stretchable Metal Gel circuitry, enabling seamless integration of electronics into a wide range of applications, from medical wearables to performance apparel and industrial applications.

Industry Significance

As a global leader in the field of liquid metal circuitry, Liquid Wire plays a crucial role in advancing the integration of electronics into flexible and stretchable materials. Its innovations have significant implications across various industries, including healthcare, sports apparel, automotive, and aerospace, by enabling the development of more comfortable, durable, and functional electronic devices.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

Liquid Wire focuses on developing and commercializing stretchable electronic circuits that can be seamlessly integrated into various substrates, enabling the creation of flexible and durable electronic devices. The company's objectives include expanding its technology into new markets, particularly medical wearables, and enhancing the performance and reliability of its products.

Areas of Specialization

The company specializes in the following areas:

Stretchable Electronics: Designing circuits that maintain electrical performance while being stretched, twisted, and flexed.

Metal Gel™ Technology: Utilizing a proprietary gallium-based alloy to create pliable and stretchable circuits.

Integration into Textiles: Embedding electronic circuits into fabrics and other flexible materials for applications in wearables and performance apparel.

Key Technologies Utilized

Metal Gel™: A non-toxic gallium-based alloy that serves as the core material for creating stretchable and flexible circuits.

Printable Electronics: Techniques that allow the deposition of electronic circuits onto various substrates, including textiles and plastics.

Primary Markets Targeted

Medical Wearables: Developing sensors and circuits for health monitoring devices that require flexibility and comfort.

Performance Apparel: Integrating electronics into clothing for applications such as fitness tracking and biometric monitoring.

Industrial Applications: Providing solutions for robotics, structural monitoring, automotive, and aerospace industries that require flexible and durable electronic components.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

Liquid Wire has secured funding through several rounds:

Series A Financing: In July 2020, the company closed a $10 million Series A financing round led by Deerfield Management Company. This funding was intended to expand its stretchable electronics technologies into the medical wearables market.

Seed-Stage Investment: In February 2018, Liquid Wire received a follow-on seed-stage investment from the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI) to commercialize its Metal Gel™ technology in the technical textiles market.

Total Funds Raised

The company has raised a total of approximately $10.75 million in funding over its history.

Notable Investors

Deerfield Management Company: Led the Series A financing round in 2020.

Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI): Provided seed-stage investment in 2018.

Utilization of Capital

The funds have been utilized to:

Expand Manufacturing Capabilities: Enhancing the Portland-based pilot manufacturing line to increase production capacity.

Develop Medical Wearables: Focusing on the medical patch market by integrating stretchable electronics into health monitoring devices.

Advance Research and Development: Continuing to innovate and improve the performance and reliability of stretchable electronic circuits.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

Liquid Wire is developing several key products:

Medical Wearables: Stretchable sensors and circuits designed for health monitoring devices, aiming to provide continuous physiological monitoring with enhanced comfort and durability.

Performance Apparel: Integrating electronics into clothing for applications such as fitness tracking, biometric monitoring, and enhancing athletic performance.

Industrial Applications: Providing flexible and durable electronic components for robotics, structural monitoring, automotive, and aerospace industries.

Stages of Development

The company is in various stages of development for these products, including:

Prototype Development: Creating initial prototypes for medical wearables and performance apparel.

Pilot Manufacturing: Scaling up production capabilities to meet market demand.

Market Entry: Introducing products to target markets, with a focus on medical wearables and performance apparel.

Target Conditions

The products aim to address:

Chronic Health Monitoring: Providing continuous monitoring for patients with chronic conditions.

Athletic Performance: Enhancing performance and recovery through real-time data collection.

Industrial Monitoring: Ensuring the safety and efficiency of industrial operations through structural health monitoring.

Timelines for Anticipated Milestones

Specific timelines for product development milestones are not publicly disclosed.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

Metal Gel™: A non-toxic gallium-based alloy that serves as the core material for creating stretchable and flexible circuits.

Printable Electronics: Techniques that allow the deposition of electronic circuits onto various substrates, including textiles and plastics.

Significant Scientific Methods

Room Temperature Processing: Enables the fabrication of circuits without the need for high-temperature processes, preserving the integrity of flexible substrates.

Fatigue-Resistant Conductivity: Ensures that circuits maintain electrical performance through repeated stretching and flexing.

AI-Driven Capabilities

While Liquid Wire's current focus is on material science and flexible electronics, the integration of AI-driven capabilities is a potential area for future development, particularly in optimizing circuit designs and enhancing sensor functionalities.

Leadership Team

Key Executives

Mark Ronay: Founder and Chief Executive Officer. With a background in innovation and business development, Ronay has been instrumental in leading the company's strategic direction and securing funding.

Jorge Carbo: Director of Innovation and Business Development. Carbo brings experience from the Nike Innovation Lab and NASA, contributing to the company's technological advancements and market expansion.

Chuck Kinzel: Process Engineer. With over 20 years at Intel, Kinzel provides expertise in process engineering and design for manufacturing, crucial for scaling production.

Michael Hopkins: Engineer. Hopkins contributes to the development and refinement of the company's stretchable electronics technologies.

Trevor Rivera: Production Engineer. Rivera plays a key role in optimizing manufacturing processes to ensure product quality and efficiency.

Andy Elliott: Embedded Systems Engineer. Elliott focuses on integrating electronic circuits into various substrates, enhancing the versatility of Liquid Wire's products.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The market for stretchable and flexible electronics is rapidly growing, driven by advancements in wearable technology, healthcare monitoring, and the demand for more adaptable electronic components. Key trends include the integration of electronics into textiles, the development of health-monitoring devices, and the need for durable and comfortable wearable solutions.

Competitor Analysis

Liquid Wire's primary competitors include:

Nanoleq: Specializes in stretchable and flexible electronics, focusing on integrating sensors into textiles for health and performance monitoring.