A statistical analysis of the mechanical and electronic-transport properties of stochastic porous fibrous materials

Computer simulations are used to analyze mechanical and electronic-transport properties and their degradation in stochastic porous fibrous materials. Such materials are currently being used for electrochemical substrates in advanced battery technologies such as the nickel/metal-hydride and lithium-ion technologies. It is found that due a structural damage, material mechanical and electron-transport properties degrade during loading at a progressively higher rate leading ultimately to a complete loss of the material ability to support mechanical load or to conduct electrical current. A statistical sensitivity analysis is also developed which could be used in the design and fabrication of stochastic porous fibrous materials in order to ensure that a desired minimum level of the failure strength is attained at a sufficiently high probability. C 2005 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.