| Abstract Scope |
The conductivity of metals is specified relative to the conductivity of copper, called the International Annealed Copper Standard, which stands at 58 MS/m, also referred to as 100% IACS. Since Scherer discovered that small amount of carbon added to molten copper yielded a conductor with a value of 102% IACS, there has been an interest in high IACS copper alloys. The Scherer alloy was later shown to contain fragments of graphene. At the University of Colorado we have produced graphene induced copper by a solid state process called "flash". In this method a hyper-state is induced by electrical current which produces colossal kinetics of phase transformations. By this method we have been able to produce graphene infused copper with an IACS > 105%. While this increase may appear modest it can have a broad impact on energy efficiency because of ubiquitous use of copper for example in electrical motors for EVs and transmission lines. Furthermore, the feasibility of large scale electrified manufacturing of high IACS copper wire will be presented. |