how are cremated bodies made into graphite?

Hi clamsisters:

What a great question! It never fails to amaze me what fascinating
subjects come up here at Google Answers... :-)

I found the folloiwng information about how this relatively new
"service" works:

"...the process begins when technicians control oxygen levels during
cremation to prevent carbon in the body from converting to carbon
dioxide. The incineration is interrupted so the technician can collect
the body's carbon in the form of a dark powder.
The powder then is sent to a Pennsylvania company where it is heated
in a vacuum at extreme temperatures to produce graphite. Only about a
thimbleful is needed to produce a stone, Herro said. The graphite is
sent to the German lab and placed into autoclaves that simulate the
intense pressure and temperature needed to create the stones."
URL: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/showcase/chi-0208200194aug20.story?coll=chi-news-hed

The one company that appears to be providing this service, Life Gem,
is applying for a U.S. patent for the process, so more detailed
information is likely impossible to find.

Life Gem
http://www.lifegem.com/

Hope this helps! 

websearcher-ga


Search Strategy:

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