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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Geodesics Toward Corners in First Passage Percolation

For stationary first passage percolation in two dimensions, the existence and uniqueness of semi-infinite geodesics directed in particular directions or sectors has been considered by Damron and Hanson (Commun Math Phys 325(3):917–963, 2014), Ahlberg and Hoffman (Random coalescing geodesics in first-passage percolation, arXiv:1609.02447 [math.PR]), and others. However the main results do not cover geodesics in the direction of corners of the limit shape B, where two facets meet. We construct an example with the following properties: (i) the limiting shape is an octagon, (ii) semi-infinite geodesics exist only in the four axis directions, and (iii) in each axis direction there are multiple such geodesics. Consequently, the set of points of ∂B which are in the direction of some geodesic does not have all of B as its convex hull.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Accurate modeling and reconstruction of three-dimensional percolating filamentary microstructures from two-dimensional micrographs via dilation-erosion method

Heterogeneous materials are ubiquitous in nature and synthetic situations and have a wide range of important engineering applications. Accurate modeling and reconstructing three-dimensional (3D) microstructure of topologically complex materials from limited morphological information such as a two-dimensional (2D) micrograph is crucial to the assessment and prediction of effective material properties and performance under extreme conditions. Here, we extend a recently developed dilation–erosion method and employ the Yeong–Torquato stochastic reconstruction procedure to model and generate 3D austenitic–ferritic cast duplex stainless steel microstructure containing percolating filamentary ferrite phase from 2D optical micrographs of the material sample. Specifically, the ferrite phase is dilated to produce a modified target 2D microstructure and the resulting 3D reconstruction is eroded to recover the percolating ferrite filaments. The dilation–erosion reconstruction is compared with the actual 3D microstructure, obtained from serial sectioning (polishing), as well as the standard stochastic reconstructions incorporating topological connectedness information. The fact that the former can achieve the same level of accuracy as the latter suggests that the dilation–erosion procedure is tantamount to incorporating appreciably more topological and geometrical information into the reconstruction while being much more computationally efficient. - Highlights: • Spatial correlation functions used to characterize filamentary ferrite phase • Clustering information assessed from 3D experimental structure via serial sectioning • Stochastic reconstruction used to generate 3D virtual structure 2D micrograph • Dilation–erosion method to improve accuracy of 3D reconstruction.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Percolating Interfacial Layers Enhance Conductivity in Polymer–Composite Electrolytes

Here, this study investigates the impact of the ceramic particle size on the bulk and interfacial ion transport properties of composite polymer electrolytes. The ceramic particles used for this study are micrometer-sized commercial lithium lanthanum titanate (LLTO) powders and LLTO nanorods (NR) prepared in the laboratory. The polymer matrices are vinylene carbonate (VEC) based single-ion-conducting (SIC) and dual-ion-conducting (DIC) polymer electrolytes. Our results reveal that the addition of LLTO NR results in improved ion transport, while the addition of commercial LLTO is ineffective or even detrimental. We ascribe these results to the formation of an interfacial polymer layer around the LLTO particles with enhanced Li + mobility and estimate the thickness of the interfacial layer to be ∼5 nm. The high surface-to-volume ratio of the LLTO NR leads to the percolation of the interfacial region at a relatively low ceramic loading of 30 wt %. This study highlights the importance of achieving percolation of the interface region (as opposed to the particles themselves) within the composite electrolyte when the interfacial layer is the enhancement mechanism.

Ock, Ji-young↗
DOE OSTI2020

Quantifying Single-Ion Transport in Percolated Ionic Aggregates of Polymer Melts

Single-ion conducting polymers such as ionomers are promising battery electrolyte materials, but it is critical to understand how rates and mechanisms of free cation transport depend on the nanoscale aggregation of cations and polymer-bound anions. We perform coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations of ionomer melts to understand cation mobility as a function of polymer architecture, background relative permittivity, and corresponding ionic aggregate morphology. In systems exhibiting percolated ionic aggregates, cations diffuse via stepping motions along the ionic aggregates. These diffusivities can be quantitatively predicted by calculating the lifetimes of continuous association between oppositely charged ions, which equal the time scales of the stepping (diffusive) motions. In contrast, predicting cation diffusivity for systems with isolated ionic aggregates requires another time scale. Finally, our results suggest that to improve conductivity the Coulombic interaction strength should be strong enough to favor percolated aggregates but weak enough to facilitate ion dissociation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Ultrasensitive photodetectors exploiting electrostatic trapping and percolation transport

The sensitivity of semiconductor photodetectors is limited by photocarrier recombination during the carrier transport process. We developed a new photoactive material that reduces recombination by physically separating hole and electron charge carriers. This material has a specific detectivity (the ability to detect small signals) of 5 × 10 17 Jones, the highest reported in visible and infrared detectors at room temperature, and 4-5 orders of magnitude higher than that of commercial single-crystal silicon detectors. The material was fabricated by sintering chloride-capped CdTe nanocrystals into polycrystalline films, where Cl selectively segregates into grain boundaries acting as n-type dopants. Photogenerated electrons concentrate in and percolate along the grain boundaries - a network of energy valleys, while holes are confined in the grain interiors. This electrostatic field-assisted carrier separation and percolation mechanism enables an unprecedented photoconductive gain of 10 10 e - per photon, and allows for effective control of the device response speed by active carrier quenching.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

The importance of stress percolation patterns in rocks and other polycrystalline materials

A new framework for thinking about the deformation behavior of rocks and other heterogeneous polycrystalline materials is proposed, based on understanding the patterns of stress transmission through these materials. Here, using finite element models, I show that stress percolates through polycrystalline materials that have heterogeneous elastic and plastic properties of the same order as those found in rocks. The pattern of stress percolation is related to the degree of heterogeneity in and statistical distribution of the elastic and plastic properties of the constituent grains in the aggregate. The development of these stress patterns leads directly to shear localization, and their existence provides insight into the formation of rhythmic features such as compositional banding and foliation in rocks that are reacting or dissolving while being deformed. In addition, this framework provides a foundation for understanding and predicting the macroscopic rheology of polycrystalline materials based on single-crystal elastic and plastic mechanical properties.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

The role of interfacial donor–acceptor percolation in efficient and stable all-polymer solar cells

Polymerization of Y6-type acceptor molecules leads to bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells with both high power-conversion efficiency and device stability, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here we show that the exciton recombination dynamics of polymerized Y6-type acceptors (Y6-PAs) strongly depends on the degree of aggregation. While the fast exciton recombination rate in aggregated Y6-PA competes with electron-hole separation at the donor–acceptor (D–A) interface, the much-suppressed exciton recombination rate in dispersed Y6-PA is sufficient to allow efficient free charge generation. Indeed, our experimental results and theoretical simulations reveal that Y6-PAs have larger miscibility with the donor polymer than Y6-type small molecular acceptors, leading to D–A percolation that effectively prevents the formation of Y6-PA aggregates at the interface. Besides enabling high charge generation efficiency, the interfacial D–A percolation also improves the thermodynamic stability of the blend morphology, as evident by the reduced device “burn-in” loss upon solar illumination.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Improving molecular alignment and charge percolation in semiconducting polymer films with highly localized electronic states through tailored thermal annealing

Here, we have recently developed a strategy to improve charge percolation efficiency in a renowned family of naphthalene-diimide bithiophene (PNDI-T2) copolymers, based on the application of a tailored thermal treatment on pre-aligned films. Here we show that the accurate choice of thermal post-processing temperatures can induce a notable lamellar thickening and an improvement of molecular alignment, the latter being favored by alkyl chains with longer branches. Correspondingly, enhanced transport properties are observed. Interestingly, these are found to be independent of lamellar thickness. In fact, within this family of molecules, characterized by a locked non-planar conformation and strong intramolecular charge localization, the orientational order within charge percolation paths was found to be the only factor dictating charge transport.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Percolation theory and quantum critical systems: A new description of the critical behavior in Ce(Ru{sub 0.24}Fe{sub 0.76}){sub 2}Ge{sub 2}

The onset of ordering in quantum critical systems is characterized by a competition between the Kondo shielding of magnetic moments and the ordering of these moments. We show how a distribution of Kondo shielding temperatures—resulting from chemical doping—leads to critical behavior whose main characteristics are given by percolation physics. With the aid of Monte Carlo computer simulations, we are able to infer the low temperature part of the distribution of shielding temperatures in heavily doped quantum critical Ce(Ru{sub 0.24}Fe{sub 0.76}){sub 2}Ge{sub 2}. Based on this distribution, we show that the ordering dynamics—such as the growth of the correlation length upon cooling—can be understood by the spawning of magnetic clusters. Our findings explain why the search for universal exponents in quantum critical systems has been unsuccessful: the underlying percolation network associated with the chemical doping of quantum critical systems has to be incorporated in the modeling of these quantum critical systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Note: Optimization of the numerical data analysis for conductivity percolation studies of drying moist porous systems

A simplified data analysis protocol, for dielectric spectroscopy use to study conductivity percolation in dehydrating granular media is discussed. To enhance visibility of the protonic conductivity contribution to the dielectric loss spectrum, detrimental effects of either low-frequency dielectric relaxation or electrode polarization are removed. Use of the directly measurable monofrequency dielectric loss factor rather than estimated DC conductivity to parameterize the percolation transition substantially reduces the analysis work and time.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Percolative superconductivity in La{sub 2}CuO{sub 4.06} by lattice granularity patterns with scanning micro x-ray absorption near edge structure

The simplest cuprate superconductor La{sub 2}CuO{sub 4+y} with mobile oxygen interstitials exhibits a clear phase separation. It is known that oxygen interstitials enter into the rocksalt La{sub 2}O{sub 2+y} spacer layers forming oxygen interstitials rich puddles and poor puddles but only recently a bulk multiscale structural phase separation has been observed by using scanning micro X-ray diffraction. Here we get further information on their spatial distribution, using scanning La L{sub 3}-edge micro X-ray absorption near edge structure. Percolating networks of oxygen rich puddles are observed in different micrometer size portions of the crystals. Moreover, the complex surface resistivity shows two jumps associated to the onset of intra-puddle and inter-puddles percolative superconductivity. The similarity of oxygen doped La{sub 2}CuO{sub 4+y}, with the well established phase separation in iron selenide superconductors is also discussed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Percolation mechanism through trapping/de-trapping process at defect states for resistive switching devices with structure of Ag/Si{sub x}C{sub 1−x}/p-Si

Pure Si{sub x}C{sub 1−x} (x > 0.5) and B-containing Si{sub x}C{sub 1−x} (x > 0.5) based resistive switching devices (RSD) with the structure of Ag/Si{sub x}C{sub 1−x}/p-Si were fabricated and their switching characteristics and mechanism were investigated systematically. Percolation mechanism through trapping/ de-trapping at defect states was suggested for the switching process. Through the introduction of B atoms into Si{sub x}C{sub 1−x}, the density of defect states was reduced, then, the SET and RESET voltages were also decreased. Based on the percolation theory, the dependence of SET/RESET voltage on the density of defect states was analyzed. These results supply a deep understanding for the SiC-based RSD, which have a potential application in extreme ambient conditions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Rigidity and soft percolation in the glass transition of an atomistic model of ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium nitrate, from molecular dynamics simulations—Existence of infinite overlapping networks in a fragile ionic liquid

The typical ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium nitrate (EMIM-NO{sub 3}), was examined by molecular dynamics simulations of an all-atomistic model to show the characteristics of networks of cages and/or bonds in the course of vitrification of this fragile glass-former. The system shows changes of dynamics at two characteristic temperatures, T{sub B} (or T{sub c}) and the glass transition temperature T{sub g}, found in other fragile glass forming liquids [K. L. Ngai and J. Habasaki, J. Chem. Phys. 141, 114502 (2014)]. On decreasing temperature, the number of neighboring cation-anion pairs, N{sub B}, within the first minimum of the pair correlation function, g(r){sub min}, increases. On crossing T{sub B} (>T{sub g}), the system volume and diffusion coefficient both show changes in temperature dependence, and as usual at T{sub g}. The glass transition temperature, T{sub g}, is characterized by the saturation of the total number of “bonds,” N{sub B} and the corresponding decrease in degree of freedom, F = [(3N − 6) − N{sub B}], of the system consisting of N particles. Similar behavior holds for the other ion-ion pairs. Therefore, as an alternative, the dynamics of glass transition can be interpreted conceptually by rigidity percolation. Before saturation occurring at T{sub g}, the number of bonds shows a remarkable change at around T{sub B}. This temperature is associated with the disappearance of the loosely packed coordination polyhedra of anions around cation (or vice versa), related to the loss of geometrical freedom of the polyhedra, f{sub g}, of each coordination polyhedron, which can be defined by f{sub g} = [(3N{sub V} − 6) − N{sub b}]. Here, 3N{sub v} is the degree of freedom of N{sub V} vertices of the polyhedron, and N{sub b} is number of fictive bonds. The packing of polyhedra is characterized by the soft percolation of cages, which allows further changes with decreasing temperature. The power spectrum of displacement of the central ion in the cage is found to be correlated with the fluctuation of N{sub b} of cation-cation (or anion-anion) pairs in the polyhedron, although the effect from the coordination shells beyond the neighboring ions is not negligible.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Electron percolation in realistic models of carbon nanotube networks

The influence of penetrable and curved carbon nanotubes (CNT) on the charge percolation in three-dimensional disordered CNT networks have been studied with Monte-Carlo simulations. By considering carbon nanotubes as solid objects but where the overlap between their electron cloud can be controlled, we observed that the structural characteristics of networks containing lower aspect ratio CNT are highly sensitive to the degree of penetration between crossed nanotubes. Following our efficient strategy to displace CNT to different positions to create more realistic statistical models, we conclude that the connectivity between objects increases with the hard-core/soft-shell radii ratio. In contrast, the presence of curved CNT in the random networks leads to an increasing percolation threshold and to a decreasing electrical conductivity at saturation. The waviness of CNT decreases the effective distance between the nanotube extremities, hence reducing their connectivity and degrading their electrical properties. We present the results of our simulation in terms of thickness of the CNT network from which simple structural parameters such as the volume fraction or the carbon nanotube density can be accurately evaluated with our more realistic models.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Rubber elasticity for percolation network consisting of Gaussian chains

A theory describing the elastic modulus for percolation networks of Gaussian chains on general lattices such as square and cubic lattices is proposed and its validity is examined with simulation and mechanical experiments on well-defined polymer networks. The theory was developed by generalizing the effective medium approximation (EMA) for Hookian spring network to Gaussian chain networks. From EMA theory, we found that the ratio of the elastic modulus at p, G to that at p = 1, G{sub 0}, must be equal to G/G{sub 0} = (p − 2/f)/(1 − 2/f) if the position of sites can be determined so as to meet the force balance, where p is the degree of cross-linking reaction. However, the EMA prediction cannot be applicable near its percolation threshold because EMA is a mean field theory. Thus, we combine real-space renormalization and EMA and propose a theory called real-space renormalized EMA, i.e., REMA. The elastic modulus predicted by REMA is in excellent agreement with the results of simulations and experiments of near-ideal diamond lattice gels.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Dual percolation behaviors of electrical and thermal conductivity in metal-ceramic composites

The thermal and electrical properties including the permittivity spectra in radio frequency region were investigated for copper/yttrium iron garnet (Cu/YIG) composites. Interestingly, the percolation behaviors in electrical and thermal conductivity were obtained due to the formation of copper particles' networks. Beyond the electrical percolation threshold, negative permittivity was observed and plasmon frequency was reduced by several orders of magnitude. With the increase in copper content, the thermal conductivity was gradually increased; meanwhile, the phonon scattering effect and thermal resistance get enhanced, so the rate of increase in thermal conductivity gradually slows down. Hopefully, Cu/YIG composites with tunable electrical and thermal properties have great potentials for electromagnetic interference shielding and electromagnetic wave attenuation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2012

Percolation critical polynomial as a graph invariant

Every lattice for which the bond percolation critical probability can be found exactly possesses a critical polynomial, with the root in [0; 1] providing the threshold. Recent work has demonstrated that this polynomial may be generalized through a definition that can be applied on any periodic lattice. The polynomial depends on the lattice and on its decomposition into identical finite subgraphs, but once these are specified, the polynomial is essentially unique. On lattices for which the exact percolation threshold is unknown, the polynomials provide approximations for the critical probability with the estimates appearing to converge to the exact answer with increasing subgraph size. In this paper, I show how the critical polynomial can be viewed as a graph invariant like the Tutte polynomial. In particular, the critical polynomial is computed on a finite graph and may be found using the deletion-contraction algorithm. This allows calculation on a computer, and I present such results for the kagome lattice using subgraphs of up to 36 bonds. For one of these, I find the prediction p c = 0:52440572:::, which differs from the numerical value, p c = 0:52440503(5), by only 6:9 X 10 -7 .

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Constrained Invasion Percolation Model: Growth via Leath Bursts and the Origin of Seismic b-Value

Here, we analyze a new model for growing networks, the constrained Leath invasion percolation model. Cluster dynamics are characterized by bursts in space and time. The model quantitatively reproduces the observed frequency-magnitude scaling of earthquakes in the limit that the occupation probability approaches the critical bond percolation probability in $\textit{d}$ = 2 . The model may have application to other systems characterized by burst dynamics.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗