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Scientists Discover Diamond Nanothreads
First time accepted submitter sokol815 writes Penn State University scientists discovered diamond nanothreads can be created from benzene when compressed. The compression brings the benzene molecules into a highly reactive state. It was expected that the molecules would create a non-ordered glass-like material, but due to the slow speed of decompression used, the benzene molecules ordered themselves into a naturally repeating crystal. The experiment took place at room-temperature. Early results indicate that these nanothreads are stronger than previously produced carbon nanotubes, and may have applications throughout the engineering industry.
The researchers themselves didn't use the D word but called the material "close- packed bundles of subnanometre-diameter sp3-bonded carbon threads capped with hydrogen, crystalline in two dimensions and short-range ordered in the third"
it's not diamond nor did the original paper claim it was: http://www.nature.com/nmat/jou...
According to the preview on the Nature site each carbon atom is linked to 3 other carbon atoms and one hydrogen. Plastic is a better description than diamond. "Normal" carbon nanotubes are closer to diamond than this.
The preview didn't call it a diamond by the way. It does equate it's properties to diamondoids and nanotubes.
Having said that, if the result is a non-toxic high tensile strength material that can be used to make a space elevator then I don't really care what they call it. It's cool anyway.
They could call it "Superdung" and I'd still love the stuff.
Well, I might have a way, but it only works on a semi spherical planet in a vacuum.