Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026

High-Contrast and Fast Photorheological Switching of a Twist-Bend Nematic Liquid Crystal
Published on: October 31, 2019
A 3D percolation model for multicomponent nanocarbon composites: the critical role of nematic transition
Xiaojuan Ni1, Chao Hui2,3, Ninghai Su2
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States of America.
Abstract:
A three-dimensional (3D) continuum percolation model has been developed on the basis of Monte Carlo simulation to investigate the percolation behavior of an electrically insulating matrix reinforced with multiple conductive fillers of different dimensionalities. Impenetrable fillers of large aspect ratio are found to preferentially align with each other to maximize the packing entropy rather than forming randomly oriented clusters. This entropy-driven transition from isotropic to nematic phase is shown to critically affect the percolation threshold. It suggests that an isotropic phase with a smaller nematic order parameter leads to a reduction in percolation threshold. In addition, a combination of two fillers with different dimensionalities can achieve a working concentration below the percolation threshold of single component system, which is further validated by the experiments of electrical conductivity in multicomponent multidimensional nanocarbon composites.
Related Concept Videos
Phase Transitions
Cooperative Allosteric Transitions
Properties of Transition Metals
Classifying Matter by Composition
According to its composition, the matter can be classified into two broad categories — pure substances and mixtures.
A pure substance is a form of matter that has a constant composition throughout with uniform properties. For example, any sample of sucrose has the same composition and same physical properties, such as melting point, color, and sweetness, regardless of the source from which it is isolated.
A mixture is composed of two or...
Phase Transitions: Vaporization and Condensation
Phase Transitions: Sublimation and Deposition

