Researchers from South Korea’s Institute for Basic Science have developed a new method for producing diamonds in just 150 minutes at normal atmospheric pressure, significantly reducing the time and resources required for traditional diamond production. The technique eliminates the need for immense pressure, making it a promising alternative for various industries that rely on diamonds.
The new method involves dissolving carbon in a specific blend of liquid metals – gallium, iron, nickel, and silicon – heated rapidly in a vacuum chamber with methane and hydrogen gases. These conditions cause carbon atoms to become suspended in the liquid metal, forming diamond crystal seeds. Within 15 minutes, tiny diamond fragments emerge, and a continuous diamond film can be formed within 150 minutes. Although the current diamond film’s depth is limited, researchers believe improvements can be made through a larger growth area and optimized carbon distribution methods.
This new technique has significant implications across various fields, including industrial applications, electronics, quantum computers, and more. The study’s authors believe this liquid metal approach can be further developed to grow diamonds on diverse surfaces and even on existing diamond particles. The research was published in the journal Nature and holds promise for a faster, easier, and more efficient way to produce diamonds.
