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New technique promises to transform diamond production by eliminating extreme pressures and speeding up cultivation under normal conditions
In the quest for innovation, researchers have discovered a completely new way to speed up diamond production by creating these gems from scratch in common environmental conditions, all in just 15 minutes. This radical change not only makes the process easier, but also paves the way for new applications that could impact sectors such as mining and the technology industry.
To achieve this result, the team led by a physical chemist from the Korea Basic Science Institute reinvented the traditional process, eliminating the need for an initial gemstone and the extremely high pressures and temperatures previously considered essential in diamond production.
Instead, they used a mixture of metals and silicon in a specially designed crucible, which allows them to quickly adjust the internal conditions, simulating some of the natural dynamics that form diamonds deep within the Earth.
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Production in 15 minutes
While conventional diamond production methods require terrifying pressures and temperatures, this new approach has managed to create diamond films in a very short time, albeit at microscopic dimensions.
Although these diamonds are too small to be made into jewelry, their potential for industrial applications, such as drilling or polishing tools, is enormous. After all, the possibility of scaling this technique and adapting it to the needs of different industries could change the way we understand the mining of valuable resources.
Despite current limitations, scientists are optimistic. Soon, new technical advances could make diamond production even more accessible and versatile, opening a new chapter in the history of these precious stones. Only time will tell where this innovation will take us.
How are diamonds made in the laboratory?
In technical terms, the current method of producing diamonds involves a crucible chamber of approximately 9 liters (2,4 gallons), where elements such as gallium, nickel, iron and a small amount of silicon are carefully heated and combined to catalyze the formation of the gemstones.
The process takes place under standard atmospheric pressure conditions, dispensing with massive and expensive equipment, which significantly reduces synthesis time and energy consumption, in addition to enabling rapid adjustments to the composition of internal gases to optimize crystal growth.
These innovations not only make diamond production more agile and controlled, but they can also impact the mining industry by reducing reliance on traditional and costly methods.
Although the dimensions of the diamonds obtained are still too small for use in jewelry, their physical and chemical properties remain intact, suggesting that, in the future, their application in drilling, cutting and polishing tools – areas where the resistance and hardness of diamond are essential – could become a new technological standard.
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