New York— Korean scientists at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology have developed a groundbreaking method for producing diamonds in just 15 minutes at ambient pressure, as detailed in a recent paper published in Nature.
The research team, which includes Indian scientist Babu Ram, created diamonds using a mixture of gallium, iron, nickel, and silicon placed in a graphite crucible. By introducing methane at 1,175°C, diamonds formed at the bottom of the crucible where the liquid metal solidified, displaying rainbow colors to the naked eye. Using a different methane isotope, 13CH4, resulted in purer diamonds.
The researchers confirmed the diamond crystals through Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. They discovered that diamonds nucleate and grow at the center of a temperature gradient within 10 to 15 minutes—an impressive reduction from the traditional High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) method, which takes 12 days. The growth process continues for up to 150 minutes before halting.
This innovative method is significant as it occurs at ambient pressure, a notable departure from conventional diamond production techniques. The researchers believe the system can be refined further with different metal mixtures for improved results.
Support for Lab-Grown Diamonds in India
In related news, India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a reduction in customs duties for lab-grown diamond seeds in the 2023-24 Budget to boost diamond manufacturing in India. Additionally, the government allocated ₹242 crore to IIT Madras for establishing the India Centre for Lab Grown Diamonds (InCent-LGD) to advance research in this field.
The Korean scientists’ breakthrough offers promising new avenues for diamond growth, potentially revolutionizing the industry with more efficient and cost-effective methods.
