"New Substance Is Harder Than Diamond, Scientists Say"

[Mbarton]

This is really cool i would love to see how they implement this. --@Mbarton

 

 

"Until recently, diamond was the hardest known naturally occurring material. But a new physical process applied to carbon has uncovered a substance that a group of scientists say is even harder.

 

Researchers at North Carolina State University say they have developed a technique for creating a substance they are calling Q-carbon, which represents a third phase, or distinct form, of carbon alongside graphite and diamond.

 

The discovery could have many applications, notably in the fields of medicine and industry. But Jay Narayan, the lead scientist on the study, has made one claim about the technique that is certain to turn heads.

 

“In 15 minutes, we can make a carat of diamonds,” Mr. Narayan said. A carat is 200 milligrams.

 

The process of creating Q-carbon — which involves concentrating a very short pulse of laser light onto carbon — can produce minuscule synthetic diamond “seeds,” which can yield gems.

 

Continue reading the main story

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While the amount of diamond is tiny compared with the yield of traditional industrial techniques, the process can be carried out at room temperature and air pressure, the researchers say, meaning it could be easier to reproduce on a large scale than other methods, including one that has been drawing interest in Silicon Valley known as chemical vapor deposition."

 

Source:http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/03/science/q-carbon-harder-than-diamond.html?_r=0

[Sauron]

Still carbon, and not found in nature. Diamonds still hold the record.

 

I have no problem believing they can produce diamonds, but I don't believe it's cost effective.

[Albatross]

Oh, that's pretty cool but I wish they would have come up with a kickass name though.

[VerticalDiscussions]

It beaten out this pretty muscle mass ?

 

[FAQBytes]

 

"Until recently, diamond was the hardest known naturally occurring material. But a new physical process applied to carbon has uncovered a substance that a group of scientists say is even harder.

 

Note what you said here, then read the rest. People have made stuff harder than diamonds for a while now. Diamond is just the hardest naturally occurring substance. And technically this lab-made material is not longer naturally occurring, so nothing has changed.

[the jolly roger]

not as hard as my d*** i am really sorry the joke was there i had to take it

[Admiral Naismith]

Oh, that's pretty cool but I wish they would have come up with a kickass name though.

Viagrocarbon

[Samfisher]

"Until recently, diamond was the hardest known naturally occurring material.

 

But a new physical process applied to carbon has uncovered a substance that a group of scientists say is even harder.

 

Don't these 2 sentences contradict one another?  "Until recently" would mean that diamond is no longer the hardest naturally occurring material, and the very next sentence says scientists created q-carbon...wat?

[VerticalDiscussions]

-snip-

Theres an article claiming that the worlds toughest natural material is goethite, teeth from Shellfish :l

[QueenDemetria]

"Austins nipple"

[The Cool n00B]

Leave to carbon.

[Enderman]

Theres an article claiming that the worlds toughest natural material is goethite, teeth from Shellfish :l

goethite:

hardness 5-5.5

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goethite

 

diamond:

hardness 10

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond

[VerticalDiscussions]

-snip-

Awwwwwwwwwww .. but the shellfish :7

[Albatross]

Viagrocarbon

 

That's much better. :lol:

[niofalpha]

Theres been known harder naturally formed materials than Diamonds known for years...

Wurtzite and lonsdaleite are both harder and are natural...

[VerticalDiscussions]

-snip-

Not according to him on wikipedia!

 

[Starelementpoke]

Does this mean I can make my suit of Iron Man armor now?

[VerticalDiscussions]

-snip-

No need to thank me

 

[Starelementpoke]

No need to thank me

 

e31e32117329a01ad9fa280de364d2c2.jpg

Great, now I just need a shit ton of Q-Carbon, an Ark Reactor, and whatever else is in that suit.

[FAQBytes]

Theres an article claiming that the worlds toughest natural material is goethite, teeth from Shellfish :l

The Mineral goethite

Chemical Formula FeO(OH) Variable Formula (Fe,Mn)O(OH) Color Black, brown, yellowish-brown, reddish-brown, yellow. May be iridescent with a multicolored rainbow-like display of darker toned colors. Rarely banded. Streak Brownish-yellow to yellow Hardness 5 - 5.5

 

www.minerals.net/mineral/goethite.aspx

Are you sure this is the one?

[PCBjon]

Just a fancy way of saying carbon...been known for years.

[Miguel Batista]

Also, as far as syntheticforms of carbon go, carbon 64 is tougher than diamond.

[CTR640]

Mine's harder ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[PlayStation 2]

"Austins nipple"

someone's got some explaining to do

[patrickjp93]

Still carbon, and not found in nature. Diamonds still hold the record.

 

I have no problem believing they can produce diamonds, but I don't believe it's cost effective.

No, graphene holds the record, and it does exist in nature. Simply sheer off a layer of graphite and you have graphene.