Author(s)

A. D. Styrkas

Institute of Solid State Physics RAS, Chernogolovka, Russia.

It was shown that tin has two types of memory: 1) “memory of the structure” about of the event when it was in the α configuration, and 2) “memory of recognition (discern)” whereby tin recognises that an object with which it in contact, was previously in contact with substances of a particular type (“infection”). Transformations of metallic white tin into the grey semiconductor occur with the help of either small pieces of grey tin or other substances isomorphous with grey tin [1] [2] [3]. These pieces (when pressed into white tin) initiate phase transition (by “infection”) from white tin into grey tin. Once the tin is transformed into its grey form, it retains a “memory” about this after it is transferred back into white tin. Thus, for second and subsequent phase transformations, there is no need for external initiators to be used. The tin has the “memory of recognition” too—when the tin can recognises that an object with which it is in contact, was previously in contact with the “infection”. This phenomenon is concerned with the aging of tin: firstly, with the loss of “memory of the structure” of tin of the event when it was in the grey tin configuration, and, secondly, with the loss of “memory of recognition” of tin whereby the tin recognises that an object with which it is in contact, was previously in contact with substances of a particular type. Factors that effect the aging of tin has been studied in detail and an explanation of the mechanism of action of these factors has been suggested.

Tin, Memory, Recognition, Infection, Aging, Loss of Memory

Styrkas, A. (2016) “Life, Memory, Recognition and Aging” of Grey Tin. Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, 4, 1-11. doi: 10.4236/msce.2016.411001.