Virginia Commonwealth University

Puru Jena

Gerd Gantefoer

Joel Therrien

Hong Fang

A 3-dimensional crystalline carbon material that is magnetic and metallic under ambient conditions is provided. The material, denominated U-carbon, has been synthesized using the molecular precursor, 3, 3-dimethyl-1-butene (CH). Depending on the atomic connections made between the carbon atoms of the material, U-Carbon forms structures that exhibit semiconducting and nonmagnetic to metallic and ferromagnetic behaviors. The use of selected molecular precursors (such as 3, 3-dimethyl-1-butene CH) that support crystal growth based on clustered rather than individual atoms is a paradigm shift in materials development. Rationally designed metastable materials with desirable properties, including U-Carbon, can have many scientific and technological applications.

Metallic and magnetic carbon material

Hyperhalogens, a new class of highly electronegative species, are now invented. A hyperhalogen is a superhalogen-containing composition in which the electron affinity (EA) of the hyperhalogen is even larger than that of the superhalogens they are composed of. Novel production methods are provided in which highly electronegative species are produced by surrounding a central metal atom by superhalogen moieties.

Growing community of inventors

Richmond, VA, United States of America

Puru Jena