Abstract Scope |
We show that the flash method can transform mixtures of ordinary carbon and copper powder fused into dense copper that is interlaced with a network of graphene. This “new” material exhibits zero creep rate and does not lose its shape even when heated to above the melting point of copper. There is a also a remarkable increase in conductivity relative to the copper it is made from; the underlying mechanism of the magnitude of this effect is apparently tied to the defects, generated during flash, that become interlaced with the graphene network. The current fundamental work is focused on understanding the generation and abatement of these defects. Occasionally, very high conductivities, as high 110% IACS have been achieved. |