Maze-solving in a plasma system based on functional analogies to reinforcement-learning model.

Maze-solving is a classical mathematical task, and is recently analogously achieved using various eccentric media and devices, such as living tissues, chemotaxis, and memristors. Plasma generated in a labyrinth of narrow channels can also play a role as a route finder to the exit. In this study, we experimentally observe the function of maze-route findings in a plasma system based on a mixed discharge scheme of direct-current (DC) volume mode and alternative-current (AC) surface dielectric-barrier discharge, and computationally generalize this function in a reinforcement-learning model. In our plasma system, we install two electrodes at the entry and the exit in a square lattice configuration of narrow channels whose cross section is 1×1 mm2 with the total length around ten centimeters. Visible emissions in low-pressure Ar gas are observed after plasma ignition, and the plasma starting from a given entry location reaches the exit as the discharge voltage increases, whose route converging level is quantified by Shannon entropy. A similar short-path route is reproduced in a reinforcement-learning model in which electric potentials through the discharge voltage is replaced by rewards with positive and negative sign or polarity. The model is not rigorous numerical representation of plasma simulation, but it shares common points with the experiments along with a rough sketch of underlying processes (charges in experiments and rewards in modelling). This finding indicates that a plasma-channel network works in an analog computing function similar to a reinforcement-learning algorithm slightly modified in this study.

Study on liquid-like SiGe cluster growth during co-condensation from supersaturated vapor mixtures by molecular dynamics simulation.

Based on the co-condensation processes in the Si-Ge system upon cooling, as determined by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, we explored the mixed cluster growth dynamics and structural properties leading to the synthesis of liquid-like SiGe nanoclusters. The results indicated that the cluster size quickly increased to large clusters by the coalescence of transient small clusters in the growth stage during co-condensation. The transient clusters at different temperatures were verified to have slightly Si-rich compositions and liquid-like structures. The coalescence of such nanoclusters at high temperatures led to spherical clusters with homogeneous intermixing. However, irregularly shaped clusters with attached mixed parts were obtained owing to incomplete coalescence at low temperatures. Ge atoms tended to move to the cluster surface to exploit their energetically favorable state during the restructuring process, leading to slightly Ge-rich components on the cluster surface. The degree of intermixing for SiGe nanoclusters was related to cluster size. Generally, small clusters appeared to be more segregated during restructuring.

Silicon nanorod formation from powder feedstock through co-condensation in plasma flash evaporation and its feasibility for lithium-ion batteries.

Si nanowires/nanorods are known to enhance the cycle performance of the lithium-ion batteries. However, viable high throughput production of Si nanomaterials has not yet attained as it requires in general expensive gas source and low-rate and multiple-step approach. As one of the potential approaches, in this work, we report the fast-rate Si nanorod synthesis from low-cost powder source by the modified plasma flash evaporation and the fundamental principle of structural formation during gas co-condensation. In this process, while Si vapors are formed in high temperature plasma jet, molten copper droplets are produced separately at the low temperature region as catalysts for growth of silicon nanorods. Si rods with several micrometers long and a few hundred of nanometers in diameter were produced in a single process at rates up to 40 µm s-1. The growth of the Si nanorods from powder source is primarily characterized by the vapor-liquid-solid growth which is accelerated by the heat extraction at the growth point. The battery cells with the Si nanorods as the anode have shown that a higher capacity and better cyclability is achieved for the nanorods with higher aspect ratios.

Instantaneous formation of SiOx nanocomposite for high capacity lithium ion batteries by enhanced disproportionation reaction during plasma spray physical vapor deposition.

Nanocomposite SiOx particles have been produced by a single step plasma spray physical vapor deposition (PS-PVD) through rapid condensation of SiO vapors and the subsequent disproportionation reaction. Core-shell nanoparticles, in which 15 nm crystalline Si is embedded within the amorphous SiOx matrix, form under typical PS-PVD conditions, while 10 nm amorphous particles are formed when processed with an increased degree of non-equilibrium effect. Addition of CH4 promotes reduction in the oxygen content x of SiO x , and thereby increases the Si volume in a nanocomposite particle. As a result, core-shell nanoparticles with x = 0.46 as anode exhibit increased initial efficiency and the capacity of lithium ion batteries while maintaining cyclability. Furthermore, it is revealed that the disproportionation reaction of SiO is promoted in nanosized particles attaining increased Si diffusivity by two orders of magnitude compared to that in bulk, which facilitates instantaneous composite nanoparticle formation during PS-PVD.

High throughput production of nanocomposite SiO x powders by plasma spray physical vapor deposition for negative electrode of lithium ion batteries.

Nanocomposite Si/SiO x powders were produced by plasma spray physical vapor deposition (PS-PVD) at a material throughput of 480 g h-1. The powders are fundamentally an aggregate of primary ∼20 nm particles, which are composed of a crystalline Si core and SiO x shell structure. This is made possible by complete evaporation of raw SiO powders and subsequent rapid condensation of high temperature SiO x vapors, followed by disproportionation reaction of nucleated SiO x nanoparticles. When CH4 was additionally introduced to the PS-PVD, the volume of the core Si increases while reducing potentially the SiO x shell thickness as a result of the enhanced SiO reduction, although an unfavorable SiC phase emerges when the C/Si molar ratio is greater than 1. As a result of the increased amount of Si active material and reduced source for irreversible capacity, half-cell batteries made of PS-PVD powders with C/Si = 0.25 have exhibited improved initial efficiency and maintenance of capacity as high as 1000 mAh g-1 after 100 cycles at the same time.

High-rate and wide-area deposition of epitaxial Si films by mesoplasma chemical vapor deposition.

Homoepitaxial Si films have been deposited at a high rate of 200 nm s-1 over a wide area of 20 mm × 80 mm by cluster-assisted mesoplasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) on a moving substrate. The obtained epitaxial Si films exhibited a uniform roughness of 0.1-0.3 nm (1 × 1 µm2) and a Hall mobility of ∼240 cm2 V-1 s-1. The results suggested that under the MPCVD the deposition precursors formed at the plasma edge could be small enough not to influence either epitaxial film structure or the film quality provided the substrate temperature is maintained above 500 °C.