Liquid an wire contact, no prolem
A atty has typical ~ 3 Ohms
A qcm liquid has typica 1-2 Million times more resistance ~4-12Million-Ohms !!!
So it is absolutly no problem if the liquid comes in contact with a wire.
But a additional isolation is never a failure, because ist stops any chemical reaction between liquid an metal. But the "cork atty" is for test, not for smoking years.
I forgett to write, that you have to make a small (1-2mm) hole in the mouthpiece (close to the atty) so that air comes in, if you inhale.
You are not worried about an electrolysis reaction? Like this:
How to Make Oxygen and Hydrogen from Water Using Electrolysis - wikiHow
Electrolysis uses DC current to generate a 'non-spontaneous' reaction.
A positive and a negative wire in a fluid can cause a reaction. In water, this will produce hydrogen and oxygen. This is harmless. But, I dont know how the fluids we are working with would behave in this situation. It could produce a compound that we do not want to inhale.
Also, as you mentioned, there is also the worry of how the metal would react due to prolonged exposure to the fluids. It could rust, or cause an entirely differant reaction. I dont know.
We all want to produce a safe product. And, at this time, I do not think it would be wise to say that there is no issue with charged wires coming in contact with e-fluid. I really would recommend that people should isolate the wires from the fluid as much as possible.
That being said, i was also concerned about shorting out. But, i see that would not be an issue. Thank you for clearing up that concern.