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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 145 records · Page 8

Ag nanowire percolating network embedded in indium tin oxide nanoparticles for printable transparent conducting electrodes

Solution-based printable transparent conducting electrodes consisting of Ag nanowire (NW) and indium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated by simple brush painting at room temperature under atmospheric ambient conditions. Effectively embedding the Ag NW percolating network into the ITO NPs provided a conduction path, led to a metallic conduction behavior of the ITO NPs/Ag NW/ITO NPs multilayer and supplied electrons into the ITO NPs. The optimized ITO NPs/Ag NW/ITO NPs multilayer showed a sheet resistance of 16.57 Ω/sq and an optical transparency of 79.50% without post annealing. Based on high resolution transmission electron microscope analysis, we investigated the microstructure and interface structure of the ITO NPs/Ag NW/ITO NPs multilayer electrodes and suggested a possible mechanism to explain the low resistivity of the multilayers.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Reduced electrical impedance of SiO{sub 2}, deposited through focused ion beam based systems, due to impurity percolation

The electrical impedance (both the resistive and capacitive aspects) of focused ion beam (FIB) deposited SiO{sub 2} has been correlated to the specific composition of the ion beam, in Ga- and Xe-based FIB systems. The presence of electrically percolating Ga in concert with carbon (inevitably found as the product of the hydrocarbon precursor decomposition) has been isolated as a major cause for the observed decrease in the resistivity of the deposited SiO{sub 2}. Concomitant with the decreased resistivity, an increased capacitance and effective dielectric constant was observed. Our study would be useful to understand the constraints to the deposition of high quality insulator films through FIB based methodologies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Disordered spin dependent interactions in a spinor (S=1) Bose gas: A percolation analysis

We study the effect of disorder in the spin dependent interaction of a spinor Bose Hubbard model. We apply mean field theory and observe the presence of Bose glass phase by computing the superfluid order parameter and compressibility. The extent of different types of phase is computed via a percolation analysis for phase diagram corresponding to antiferromagnetic interactions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Triviality of quantum trajectories close to a directed percolation transition

Here we study quantum circuits consisting of unitary gates, projective measurements, and control operations that steer the system toward a pure absorbing state. Two types of phase transition occur as the rate of these control operations is increased: a measurement-induced entanglement transition, and a directed percolation transition into the absorbing state (taken here to be a product state). In this work, we show analytically that these transitions are generically distinct, with the quantum trajectories becoming disentangled before the absorbing state transition is reached, and we analyze their critical properties. We introduce a simple class of models where the measurements in each quantum trajectory define an effective tensor network (ETN)—a subgraph of the initial spacetime graph where nontrivial time evolution takes place. By analyzing the entanglement properties of the ETN, we show that the entanglement and absorbing-state transitions coincide only in the limit of the infinite local Hilbert-space dimension. Focusing on a Clifford model which allows numerical simulations for large system sizes, we verify our predictions and study the finite-size crossover between the two transitions at large local Hilbert space dimension. We give evidence that the entanglement transition is governed by the same fixed point as in hybrid circuits without feedback.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

From nonmetal to strange metal at the stripe-percolation transition in La 2 - x Sr x CuO 4

The nature of the normal state of cuprate superconductors continues to stimulate considerable speculation. Of particular interest has been the linear temperature dependence of the in-plane resistivity in the low-temperature limit, which violates the prediction for a Fermi liquid. We present measurements of anisotropic resistivity in La$_{2–x}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$ that confirm the strange-metal behavior for crystals with doped-hole concentration $p = x > p^* \sim 0.19$ and contrast with the nonmetallic behavior for $p < p^*$. We propose that the changes at $p^*$ are associated with a first-order transition from doped Mott insulator to conventional metal; the transition appears as a crossover due to intrinsic dopant disorder. We consider results from the literature that support this picture; in particular, we present a simulation of the impact of the disorder on the first-order transition and the doping dependence of stripe correlations. Below $p^*$, the strong electronic interactions result in charge and spin stripe correlations that percolate across the CuO 2 planes; above $p^*$, residual stripe correlations are restricted to isolated puddles. Here we suggest that the $T$-linear resistivity results from scattering of quasiparticles from antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations within the correlated puddles. This is a modest effect compared to the case at $p < p^*$, where the data suggest that there are no coherent quasiparticles in the normal state.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Non percolative nature of the metal-insulator transition and persistence of local Jahn-Teller distortions in the rhombohedral regime of La 1-x Ca x MnO 3

Evolution of the average and local crystal structure of Ca-doped LaMnO 3 has been studied across the metal to insulator (MI) and the orthorhombic to rhombohedral (OR) structural phase transitions over a broad temperature range for two Ca concentrations (x = 0.18,0.22). Combined Rietveld and high real space resolution atomic pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of neutron total scattering data was carried out with aims of exploring the possibility of nanoscale phase separation (PS) in relation to MI transition, and charting the evolution of local Jahn-Teller (JT) distortion of MnO 6 octahedra across the OR transition at T S ~720 K. The study utilized explicit two-phase PDF structural modeling, revealing that away from T MI there is no evidence for nanoscale phase coexistence. The local JT distortions disappear abruptly upon crossing into the metallic regime both with doping and temperature, with only a small temperature-independent signature of quenched disorder being observable at low temperature as compared to CaMnO 3 . The results hence do not support the percolative scenario for the MI transition in La 1–x Ca x MnO 3 based on PS, and question its ubiquity in the manganites. In contrast to LaMnO 3 that exhibits long-range orbital correlations and sizable octahedral distortions at low temperature, the doped samples with compositions straddling the MI boundary exhibit correlations (in the insulating regime) limited to only ~1 nm with observably smaller distortions. In the x = 0.22 sample local JT distortions are found to persist across the OR transition and deep into the R phase (up to ~1050 K), where they are crystallographically prohibited. As a result, their magnitude and subnanometer spatial extent remain unchanged.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Purcell effect at the percolation transition

Here, we investigate the spontaneous emission rate of a two-level quantum emitter next to a composite medium made of randomly distributed metallic inclusions embedded in a dielectric host matrix. In the near field, the Purcell factor can be enhanced by two orders of magnitude relative to the case of a homogeneous metallic medium and reaches its maximum precisely at the insulator-metal transition. By unveiling the role of the decay pathways in the emitter's lifetime, we demonstrate that, close to the percolation threshold, the radiation emission process is dictated by electromagnetic absorption in the heterogeneous medium. We show that our findings are robust against change in material properties and shape of inclusions and apply for different effective-medium theories as well as for a wide range of transition frequencies.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Reaching percolation and conformal limits in neutron stars

Generating an ensemble of equations of state that fulfill multimessenger constraints, we statistically determine the properties of dense matter found inside neutron stars (NSs). We calculate the speed of sound and trace anomaly and demonstrate that they are driven towards their conformal values at the center of maximally massive NSs. The local peak of the speed of sound is shown to be located at values of the energy and particle densities, which are consistent with deconfinement and percolation conditions in QCD matter. Here, we also analyze fluctuations of the net-baryon number density in the context of possible remnants of critical behavior. We find that the global maxima of the variance of these fluctuations emerge at densities beyond those found in the interiors of NSs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Quasistatic fluid-fluid displacement in porous media: Invasion-percolation through a wetting transition

We study the influence of wettability on the morphology of fluid-fluid displacement through analog porous media in the limit of vanishing flow rates. We introduce an invasion-percolation model that considers cooperative pore filling and corner-flow mechanisms and captures interface motion at the pore scale for all quasistatic flow regimes between strong drainage and strong imbibition. We validate the method against recent experimental observations of wetting transition in microfluidic cells patterned with circular posts and we use it to explore the sensitivity of fluid invasion to wettability heterogeneity, post spacing, and post height. Furthermore, our model therefore extends the Cieplak-Robbins description of quasistatic fluid invasion by reproducing the wetting transition in strong imbibition, a feature that requires incorporating three-dimensional effects.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Percolation Thresholds and Phase Transitions in Binary Composites

The metal–insulator and metal–superconductor phase transitions related to the percolation thresholds in two-component composites are considered. The behavior of effective conductivity σ{sub e} in the vicinity of both thresholds is described in terms of the similarity hypothesis. A one-to-one correspondence between the equations derived for σ{sub e} in both critical regions is found for randomly heterogeneous systems.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Impact of the Percolation Effect on the Temperature Dependences of the Capacitance–Voltage Characteristics of Heterostructures Based on Composite Layers of Silicon and Gold Nanoparticles

The temperature dependences of the capacitance–voltage characteristics and deep-level spectra of a Au–n-Si:Au–Si–p-Si heterostructure based on a composite layer of Au and Si nanoparticles are investigated. The structure manifests the properties of a transistor connected to a circuit with a common emitter with a disconnected base and an emitter Schottky barrier between the Au point contact and the n–(Si:Au) layer. Nanoparticles in this layer form finite clusters with hopping conductivity; herewith, charge accumulation is observed in the region of the Au point contact. The system at a measurement temperature below 180 K transitions from the finite-cluster phase to the infinite-cluster phase due to the percolation effect. This phase manifests metallic properties in the lateral plane of the heterostructure, which transforms into a p–n diode.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Zeroth order Fabry-Perot resonance enabled ultra-thin perfect light absorber using percolation aluminum and silicon nanofilms

Here, we demonstrated perfect light absorption in optical nanocavities made of ultra-thin percolation aluminum and silicon films deposited on an aluminum surface. The total layer thickness of the aluminum and silicon films is one order of magnitude less than perfect absorption wavelength in the visible spectral range. The ratio of silicon cavity layer thickness to perfect absorption wavelength decreases as wavelength decreases due to the increased phase delays at silicon-aluminum boundaries at shorter wavelengths. It is explained that perfect light absorption is due to critical coupling of incident wave to the fundamental Fabry-Perot resonance mode of the structure where the round trip phase delay is zero. Simulations were performed and the results agree well with the measurement results.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Soil Water Percolation Flux, April 2017 to March 2019, BR-Ma2, Manaus

Soil water percolation flux measurements derived from six passive wick flux meters across three topographic positions (valley, slope and plateau). Data has been processed to compute the mean for each topographic position where two flux meters were installed at each topographic position. Missing data represented a few percent of the total data set and were filled using two approaches. In the event one of the flux meters malfunctioned, we used data from the other sensor from the same topographic position without averaging. When both sensors were not working, such as during the period from September to October 2017 for the slope and valley and July 2018 for the plateau, data was filled using a nonlinear regression model that was based on local precipitation data and coefficients that were empirically derived for each topographic position. The metadata tab included in the .csv has additional information on locations where the sensors were installed, and other installation/maintenance details. Contact ksolander@lanl.gov if you need to use this dataset for additional information.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Soil Water Percolation Chemistry, April 2017 to March 2019, BR-Ma2, Manaus

Soil water percolation chemistry including major cations, anions and isotope geochemistry. Samples were collected from six passive wick flux meters across three topographic positions (valley, slope and plateau). Data has been processed to compute the monthly mean for each topographic position where two flux meters were installed at each topographic position. All samples were processed at the Geology, Geochemistry and Geomaterials Research Laboratory (GGRL) in Los Alamos, NM USA. The metadata tab included in the .csv has additional information on locations where the sensors were installed, and other installation/maintenance details. Contact ksolander@lanl.gov if you need to use this dataset for additional information.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Modified Invasion Percolation Models for Multiphase Processes

This project extends current understanding and modeling capabilities of pore-scale multiphase flow physics in porous media. High-resolution X-ray computed tomography imaging experiments are used to investigate structural and surface properties of the medium that influence immiscible displacement. Using experimental and computational tools, we investigate the impact of wetting characteristics, as well as radial and axial loading conditions, on the development of percolation pathways, residual phase trapping and fluid-fluid interfacial areas.

02 PETROLEUM↗

Glassy interphases reinforce elastomeric nanocomposites by enhancing percolation-driven volume expansion under strain

For nearly a century, introduction of nanoparticles to elastomers has yielded extraordinarily tough nanocomposites that are critical to technologies from actuators to tires. The mechanisms by which this reinforcement occurs have nevertheless remained a central open question in material science. One widely debated hypothesis posits that strong interactions between polymer and particles induce "glassy bridges" that cement particles into a cohesive percolating network that resists elongation. Here, molecular dynamics simulations show that glassy particle shells do not primarily provide elongational cohesion. Instead, they amplify an underlying mechanism wherein competition between filler and elastomer networks causes the elastomer's volume to increase on deformation. This induces contributions from the elastomer's bulk modulus, which is of order 1000 times larger than its Young's modulus. These findings establish a unified understanding of low-strain reinforcement in filled elastomers as emanating from volumetric competition between coexisting particulate and elastomeric networks. This reframes and unifies our understanding of low-strain reinforcement, provides a clear-cut diagnostic for the presence of glassy bridging, and offers a new design principle for tough elastomeric nanocomposites.

Computational Physics (physics.comp-ph)↗

Algebraic Algorithms for Betweenness and Percolation Centrality

Abstract In this paper, we explored different ways to write the algebraic version of betweenness centrality algorithm. Particularly, we focused on Brandes' algorithm. We aimed for algebraic betweenness centrality that can be parallelized easily. We proposed 3-tuple geodetic semiring as an extension to the usual geodetic semiring with 2-tuples. Using the 3-tuple geodetic semiring, Dijkstra's and Brandes' algorithm, we wrote more concise and general algebraic betweenness centrality (ABC) algorithm which is valid for weighted and directed graphs. We also proposed an alternative version of ABC using the usual geodetic semiring with 2-tuple where we used a simple way to construct shortest path tree after computing shortest path distances in the usual geodetic semiring. This allows us to avoid computational complexity of ABC implementation using 3-tuple geodetic semiring. We used numba to optimize and parallelize ABC. We evaluated the performance of ABC using 2-tuple geodetic semiring as compared to NetworkX, a common python package for graph algorithms. We did scalability experiments on parallel ABC and showed its total speedup. We also showed that with small modification, ABC can be adapted to algebraicly compute other centrality measures such as percolation centrality.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Metabolic network percolation quantifies biosynthetic capabilities across the human oral microbiome

The biosynthetic capabilities of microbes underlie their growth and interactions, playing a prominent role in microbial community structure. For large, diverse microbial communities, prediction of these capabilities is limited by uncertainty about metabolic functions and environmental conditions. To address this challenge, we propose a probabilistic method, inspired by percolation theory, to computationally quantify how robustly a genome-derived metabolic network produces a given set of metabolites under an ensemble of variable environments. We used this method to compile an atlas of predicted biosynthetic capabilities for 97 metabolites across 456 human oral microbes. This atlas captures taxonomically-related trends in biomass composition, and makes it possible to estimate inter-microbial metabolic distances that correlate with microbial co-occurrences. We also found a distinct cluster of fastidious/uncultivated taxa, including several Saccharibacteria (TM7) species, characterized by their abundant metabolic deficiencies. By embracing uncertainty, our approach can be broadly applied to understanding metabolic interactions in complex microbial ecosystems.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗