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Nanodiamonds by laser shock

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf successfully produce high-purity, ultra-small nanodiamonds using laser compression, offering a scalable and sustainable alternative to conventional methods. The diamonds can be used in various applications, including medicine, energy technology, and catalysis.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalDiamond and Related Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2026

Turning friction heat into a chemical cushion to shape flawless semiconductor crystals

The new method uses a chemical additive to create a sacrificial molecular cushion on the crystal surface, allowing for smoother cutting and reducing defects. This technique slashes subsurface crystal defects to a depth of only 70 nanometers, promising to revolutionize semiconductor manufacturing.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateSep 15, 2026

Analysis of a super-deep diamond reveals how water travels to the Earth’s interior

A Brazilian research team used synchrotron light techniques to analyze a super-deep diamond and found that goethite can withstand extreme pressures and temperatures all the way to the planet's interior. The study suggests that goethite may transport and release water into the lower mantle, reinforcing the hypothesis.

Diamond owl swoops in with new method to keep electronics cool

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to grow patterned diamond surfaces that can decrease operating temperatures in electronics. This approach uses microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition to create ordered layers of diamond crystals on substrates, allowing for controlled seed placement and scalable growth.

SourceRice University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 23, 2026

Surprising nanoscopic heat traps found in diamonds

Researchers discovered 'hot spots' around atomic defects in diamonds that briefly distort the surrounding crystal, affecting quantum-relevant defects. The findings indicate optical techniques used to control defects may unintentionally generate small pockets of heat, potentially affecting diamond-based quantum devices.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2025

Making diamonds with electron radiation

A team at University of Tokyo successfully created nanodiamonds using electron radiation on adamantane molecules. This method offers new techniques for imaging and analysis, and could lead to breakthroughs in fields like quantum computing and sensors.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2025

The diamonds that could find cancer

Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a handheld diamond magnetometer for cancer surgery, which uses magnetic tracer fluid to detect tumours. The device is ultra-sensitive and compact, offering a non-toxic alternative to traditional methods, such as radioactive tracers or blue dye.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalPhysical Review Applied·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2025

Crystallizing time

Physicists at Washington University in St. Louis have created a novel phase of matter called a time quasicrystal, which vibrates at precise frequencies over time. The researchers built the quasicrystals inside a diamond chunk using powerful nitrogen beams and microwave pulses.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMar 17, 2025

Helium in the Earth's core

A new study by researchers from the University of Tokyo reveals that helium can bond with iron under extreme conditions, contradicting previous findings. The discovery suggests there could be significant amounts of helium in the Earth's core, potentially rewriting our understanding of the planet's origins.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2025

Atomic-level diamond surface polishing with high quality, efficiency, and material removal rates

A new photocatalytic chemical mechanical polishing (PCMP) slurry has been developed for Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) polishing, resulting in exceptionally smooth surfaces with minimal damage. The Material Removal Rate (MRR) peaks at 1168 nm·h−1, emphasizing the efficiency and effectiveness of this advanced polishing technique.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateFeb 13, 2025

Sliding into novel materials: A new frontier in material science

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a method to transform graphite into novel materials with controlled atomic layers, enabling the creation of tiny electronic memory units. This process, known as 'Slidetronics,' allows for precise manipulation of material properties, opening doors to innovative applications in electronic...

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalNature Reviews Physics·DateFeb 5, 2025

Unlocking the secrets of diamond: new insights into nitrogen-vacancy center formation

Researchers have demonstrated a novel method to increase the density and depth of nitrogen-vacancy centers in type-Ib diamonds through controlled temperature and orientation. This study advances our understanding of diamond materials and opens up new possibilities for cutting-edge scientific and technological applications.

SourceSongshan Lake Materials Laboratory·JournalMaterials Futures·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2024

Purdue physicists throw world’s smallest disco party

Physicists at Purdue University have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in levitated optomechanics by observing the Berry phase of electron spins in nano-sized diamonds. By levitating and spinning these tiny diamonds at incredibly high speeds, they were able to study the effects of fast rotation on spin qubits.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 14, 2024

Novel diamond quantum magnetometer for ambient condition magnetoencephalography

Researchers have developed a highly sensitive diamond quantum magnetometer that can achieve practical ambient condition magnetoencephalography. The novel magnetometer uses a single crystalline diamond to detect magnetic fields, achieving record sensitivities of up to 9.4 pT Hz-1/2 in the frequency range of 5 to 100 Hz.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Applied·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2024

A simple internet with significant possibilities

Researchers at Harvard University have successfully demonstrated the first metro-area quantum computer network in Boston, using existing telecommunication fiber to send hacker-proof information via photons. The breakthrough overcomes signal loss issues, enabling the creation of a secure quantum internet.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2024

Making diamonds at ambient pressure

Researchers create diamond film at 1 atm pressure and 1025°C using a novel liquid metal alloy, breaking the high-pressure requirement. The synthesized diamond has a high purity and unique silicon-vacancy color centers, opening new avenues for applications in magnetic sensing and quantum computing.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2024

Under pressure

Scientists have created a novel instrument that enables the precise measurement of superconductors under extreme pressure, overcoming existing limitations. The new tool uses quantum sensors integrated into a standard pressure-inducing device, allowing for direct imaging of the material's behavior.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 28, 2024

Diamonds are a chip's best friend

Researchers at Kyoto University have determined the magnitude of spin-orbit interaction in acceptor-bound excitons in a semiconductor. The study revealed two triplets separated by a spin-orbit splitting of 14.3 meV, supporting the hypothesis that two positively charged holes are more strongly bound than an electron-and-hole pair.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2024

Pioneering diamond manufacturing: Enhancing efficiency and precision with energy beam-based direct and assisted polishing techniques

Energy beam-based direct and assisted polishing technologies for diamonds improve surface quality and material removal rates, overcoming limitations of traditional methods. Researchers analyzed four latest polishing techniques, including laser polishing, ion beam polishing, plasma-assisted polishing, and laser-assisted polishing.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateDec 21, 2023

Next generation semiconductors: Diamond device shows highest breakdown voltage

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a diamond semiconductor device with the highest breakdown voltage and lowest leakage current. The device operates at high voltages and currents without losing electrical performance, making it suitable for applications such as solar panels and wind turbines.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalIEEE Electron Device Letters·DateNov 27, 2023

Groundbreaking study shows defects spreading through diamond faster than the speed of sound

A groundbreaking study reveals that linear defects in diamond can spread at speeds exceeding the speed of sound, which could impact our understanding of material strength, failure, and manufacturing. This discovery may lead to new insights into earthquake ruptures, structural failures, and precision manufacturing.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 5, 2023

Scientists film soundwaves in a crystal

Researchers used a unique X-ray technique to capture soundwaves' propagation in a diamond crystal, revealing ultrafast structural phenomena that were previously beyond scientific reach. The breakthrough enables real-time imaging of solid materials with unprecedented resolution and speed.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 2, 2023

Diamond materials as solar-powered electrodes - spectroscopy shows what's important

Researchers have found that diamond materials can release electrons in water and trigger chemical reactions when excited by light. The team used X-ray spectroscopy to precisely track the processes taking place on the surface of diamond materials, revealing that they are well-suited for use in aqueous solutions.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalSmall Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2023

SLAC researchers take important step toward developing cavity-based X-ray laser tech

Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have developed a key process for next-gen X-ray lasers, demonstrating the use of synthetic diamond crystal mirrors to steer X-ray pulses around a rectangular racetrack. The achievement marks an important step towards creating brighter and more stable X-ray laser pulses.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 15, 2023