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Pencil 'Lead' Mightier than Diamonds?

Posted by timothy on from the rapidograph-triumphs dept.

GuardianBob420 writes "Space Daily is reporting that a team of researchers has used a combination of extreme pressure and irradiation to alter the molecular structure of graphite -- resulting in a previously unobserved super-hard form of the stuff. From the article: 'The graphite that resulted from our experiment was so hard that when we released the pressure we saw that it had actually cracked the diamond anvil.'"

3 of 95 comments (clear)

  1. Lasts longer than diamonds? by Mac73117 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does this mean deBeers will offer graphite engagement rings?

    Ducks...

  2. Re:Imagine bycicles made of this by borgboy · · Score: 4, Funny

    Imagine a popular geek writer penning a novel about an era when nanotech is rampant and carbon crystals are ubiquitous.

    Imagine reading that novel.

    Imagine

    --
    meh.
  3. Re:What does this prove? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Even more impressive is that fact that he replied to himself, calling the first guy an idiot but looking like he called himself an idiot. Then there's you, who didn't notice this.

    Whee! This spiral ride is fun!