Effective-medium approximation for composite media: Realizable single-scale dispersions

S. Torquato, S. Hyun

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

It is known that the popular effective medium approximation (EMA) for the effective conductivity σe of a composite is exactly realizable by certain multiscale hierarchical microstructures. We have found a class of periodic, single-scale dispersions that achieve the EMA function at a given phase conductivity ratio for a two-phase, two-dimensional composite over all volume fractions. Moreover, to an excellent approximation (but not exactly), the same structures realize the EMA for almost the entire range of phase conductivities and volume fractions. The inclusion shapes are given analytically by the generalized hypocycloid, which in general has a nonsmooth interface. To find these structures, we utilized target optimization techniques and a theorem concerning the spectral function.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1725-1729
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Applied Physics
Volume89
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2001

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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