Scientists have discovered a new technique to make diamonds at normal atmospheric pressure and without a starter gem in just 15 minutes.
As per Live Science report, the natural diamonds form in Earth's mantle through a process that includes several gigapascals and extreme temperatures of 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit (1,500 degrees Celsius).
Similar conditions are employed to make 99% of the artificial diamond. High pressure and high temperature (HPHT) growth method is used to dissolve coax carbon in liquid metals, like iron, to convert it to diamond around a starter diamond or small seed.
However, a team led by Rodney Ruoff, a physical chemist at the Institute for Basic Science in South Korea, found a new technique that eliminates some drawbacks of both synthesis processes.
The findings of the study were published on April 24 in the journal Nature.
The researchers created a container to hold the crucible that was kept at normal pressure. They then pumped in extremely hot, rich carbon methane gas.
The container was designed by co-author Won Kyung Seong, also of the Institute for Basic Science; this 2.4-gallon (9 litres) chamber could be readied for experimentation in just 15 minutes.
Ruoff told Live Science, "For over a decade, I have been thinking about new ways to grow diamonds, as I thought it might be possible to achieve this in what might be unexpected (per 'conventional' thinking) ways.”
Ruoff further added, “In about a year or two, the world might have a clearer picture of things like possible commercial impact."
