Nov 13 2015
Saint Jean Carbon Inc. ("Saint Jean" or the "Company"), a carbon sciences company engaged in the development of natural graphite properties and related carbon products, is pleased to announce that with the assistance of researchers at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario that the first measurements of the Company's graphene nano materials are complete.
The tests were performed at room temperature with a magnetometer obtaining superparamagnetic phases. The material tested is 99.9999% cg with zero iron (Fe) reporting.
The magnetic torque or turning force in a material is caused by the spin and orbital momentum states of its electrons. Materials that contain unpaired electrons spinning in the same direction, such as Carbon, are called paramagnetic. When an external magnetic field is applied the electrons align in the same direction as the external field. When the external force is switched off the electrons return to their former state. In certain materials, such as the carbon-based graphene tested by Western, the susceptibility to this paramagnetic effect whereby electrons can flip between positive, negative and neutral states is much larger, hence the 'super' in the name.
In the biomedical field for example, various 'contrast mediums' (or contrast agents) are used to illustrate the structures of fluids within the body in medical imaging. Outside the biomedical field the switching qualities have applications in products such as advanced recording media; semiconductor technology; in advanced battery power storage capabilities and in particular the extensive field of room-temperature superconductors. Superconductors are materials that conduct electricity with zero resistance. The closer to room temperature this can be achieved the more extensive the potential applications
The Company believes the significance of these confirmed superparamagnetic observations in its graphene products cannot be understated. The company believes this is a big breakthrough. The ability to effectively manage these magnetic field phenomena through graphene has applications in the medical field; in electric car battery applications; and superconductors. Paul Ogilvie, CEO, commented: "Completion of the next round of tests will tell us a lot of what we can really expect in the future from the material."
Testing nano materials is a very difficult and specialized field of engineering. Saint Jean will therefore continue to rely on the team at Western to complete on ongoing series of additional tests at varying temperatures from as low as 80K in liquid nitrogen to as high as 250c. These tests will be completed over the next few months and will help the Company understand the magnetic properties much better and with more definitive understanding of the temperature effects. The next steps will be defined in a further press release as the company finalizes negotiations with their industry partners and goes forward with research and development of a number of real life applications.
Paul Ogilvie, further commented: "This has been a lot of hard work for a lot of people over many years in the graphite business. To have the possible abilities for super conducting through nano level materials is far greater than we ever expected to find, and the very fact that the material shows superparamagnetic phases is enough to keep us focused on the development trail in order to realize its full potential."
The following charts show the results.
To view Chart 1, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1032723Chart1.pdf
To view Chart 2, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1032723Chart2.pdf
About Saint Jean
Saint Jean is a publicly traded carbon sciences company, with interest in graphite mining claims on five 100% Company-owned properties located in the province of Quebec in Canada. The five properties include the Walker property, a past producing mine, the Wallingford property, the St. Jovite property, East Miller and Clot property. For information on Saint Jean's other properties and the latest news please go to the website: www.saintjeancarbon.com.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Saint Jean Carbon Inc.
Paul Ogilvie, CEO and Director