Flanigen's patent application for a 'flux-melt method' of growing synthetic beryl (emerald) crystals was published, advancing gem crystal synthesis.
On October 6, 1964, a U.S. patent application titled "Flux-melt method for growing single crystals having the structure of beryl" was published, naming Edith M. Flanigen as a co-inventor. This filing documented her groundbreaking work in synthesizing beryl-structure crystals, including emerald, using controlled flux-melt crystal growth techniques.
Beryl is the mineral family that includes emerald, and prior to Flanigen's work, methods for growing large, gem-quality synthetic emeralds were limited and often produced inferior results. Her flux-melt method offered a more controlled and scalable approach to producing synthetic beryl crystals with commercially and scientifically valuable properties.
This achievement showcased the breadth of Flanigen's chemical expertise beyond molecular sieves, extending into crystal growth science with applications in both industry and gemology. The technique she helped develop contributed to the broader field of synthetic gemstone production, an area with significant commercial implications for jewelry, optics, and materials research.
The publication of this application, three years after her molecular sieve patent application, illustrates the remarkable diversity of Flanigen's inventive output during the 1960s, a decade in which she was simultaneously advancing multiple distinct lines of materials chemistry research at Union Carbide.