Percolation theory can describe the flow of electric currents through random media such as randomly dispersed metal nanocrystals on an insulating support. The sizes and distribution of the crystals can be determined accurately via scanning probe microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. This allows the electrical behaviour to be correlated with the island size distribution. Once this relationship is established it is possible to follow high speed sintering and island shape change events simply by investigating the change in electrical resistance. Percolation theory is able to set the experiments within a meaningful theoretical context including applications related to neuromorphic signal processing. A dedicated ultra high vacuum chamber is available for this project.
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