Composition of matter tailoring: system I
The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
1. A product prepared by the method of inducing a change in energy and/or electronic or physical properties in a metal or alloy comprising the steps of subjecting said metal or alloy to cycling wherein said cycling comprise increasing and decreasing the temperature of said metal or alloy in a molten state in the presence of a carbon source at saturating levels.
2. The product of claim 1 , wherein said carbon source is selected from graphite, fullerenes and diamonds.
3. The product of claim 2 , wherein said carbon source is a high purity graphite rod.
4. The product of claim 1 , wherein said metal is kept molten in the presence of carbon for a period of about 0.5 to about 72 hours.
5. The product of claim 1 , wherein said metal is selected from scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, technetium, rhenium, iron, ruthenium, osmium, cobalt, rhodium, iridium, osmium, nickel, palladium, platinum, copper, silver, gold, zinc, cadmium, mercury, lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, aluminum, gallium, indium, tin, lead, boron, germanium, arsenic, antimony, tellurium, bismuth and silicon.
6. The product of claim 1 , wherein said carbon saturation levels is between 70% and 95% in the first cycling step, between 70% and 95% in the second cycling step, between 101% and 103% in the third cycling step, between 104% and 107% in the fourth cycling step, between 108% and 118% in the fifth cycling step, and between 114% and 118% in the sixth cycling step.
7. The product of claim 1 , further comprising the step of cooling the metal or alloy below the solidus temperature of said metal or alloy.
8. The product of claim 1 , wherein said cycling steps are carried out in an induction furnace capable of operating within a frequency range of 0 kHz to about 10,000 kHz.
9. The product of claim 1 , wherein said change in energy and/or electronic or physical properties is reflected in a change in XRF spectrum of said metal of alloy.
10. The product of claim 1 , wherein said metal or alloy exhibits a change in magnetic character.
11. The product of claim 1 , wherein said metal or alloy exhibits a change in chemical reactivity.
12. The product of claim 1 , wherein said metal or alloy exhibits a change in electronic character.