Zhi-ming Li | Searcharxiv

arXiv2026

Causal inference of Plackett-Burman designs in applications

Driven by four applications of Plackett-Burman (PB) designs, this paper proposes a causal inference framework based on potential outcomes. First, we define the causal effects of the PB designs under finite populations. The Neymanian estimator of causal effects is then obtained, including the estimated variance and covariance. Furthermore, we conduct a sharp null-hypothesis test and construct the Fisherian interval using an algorithm. Finally, the proposed methods are illustrated through these applications.

stat.ME↗

arXiv2021

Analytical Energy Formalism and Kinetic Effects of Grain Boundary: A Case Study of Graphene

Grain boundaries (GBs), an important constituent of polycrystalline materials, have a wide range of manifestion and significantly affect the properties of materials. Fully understanding the effects of GBs is stalemated due to lack of complete knowledge of their structures and energetics. Here, for the first time, by taking graphene as an example, we propose an analytical energy functional of GBs in angle space. We find that an arbitrary GB can be characterized by a geometric combination of symmetric GBs that follow the principle of uniform distribution of their dislocation cores in straight lines. Furthermore, we determine the elusive kinetic effects on GBs from the difference between experimental statistics and energy-dependent thermodynamic effects. This study not only presents an analytical energy functional of GBs which could also be extended to other two-dimensional materials, but also sheds light on understanding the kinetic effects of GBs in material synthesizing processes.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗