{
  "abstract": "This study investigates the dielectric breakdown of copper granular media covered by a native semiconducting oxide layer (Cu 2 O) under DC stress. This insulator-to-conductor transition, known as the Branly effect, initiates powder consolidation in Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) by disrupting native oxide diffusion barriers. The phenomenon is analyzed through a multiscale approach combining the Discrete Element Method (DEM), Finite Element Method (FEM), and analytical modeling. Locally, a 3D electro-thermal FEM model validates an analytical breakdown criterion based on thermal runaway. Macroscopically, unlike models focusing on post-breakdown metallic percolation, the 3D DEM framework integrates the oxide's thermal degradation to actively drive the transition. Results reveal a two-stage macroscopic breakdown: a \"soft\" regime of power-driven filamentation that stabilizes the electric field, followed by a \"hard\" regime where the metallic failure of a minute contact fraction (< 0.1%) establishes a percolating path. This numerical approach provides a deeper understanding of the breakdown mechanisms and the induced current percolation, offering physical insights to optimize the early activation and densification stages in SPS.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "G. Antou"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. André"
    },
    {
      "name": "C. Hubert"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f5avzxkwb8775.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1016/j.mtcomm.2026.115750",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "f5avzxkwb8775",
  "issns": [
    "2352-4928"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://unilim.hal.science/hal-05801476v1",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "hal",
      "0.chim"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2208|Electrical and Thermal Properties of Materials"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7169624487",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352492826011396/pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-15",
  "publisher": "Elsevier",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f5avzxkwb8775.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:57Z",
      "native_id": "hal-05801476",
      "source": "hal",
      "url": "https://unilim.hal.science/hal-05801476v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "chemistry",
      "origin": "hal:0.chim",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Multiscale electro-thermal modeling of the Branly effect in oxidized copper granular media",
  "title_text": "Multiscale electro-thermal modeling of the Branly effect in oxidized copper granular media",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:57Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/f5avzxkwb8775",
  "venue": "Materials Today Communications",
  "versions": []
}