A new material called diamethane is a lot harder than diamonds. It is so hard that it can be used to make hard, durable, wear-resistant materials. This makes it a great candidate for the production of advanced electronics.
Carbon nanotubes
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a relatively new material. These hollow tubes are formed from sheets of hexagonal carbon atoms. They are light and have excellent mechanical and thermal properties.
These materials have been in the spotlight for the past few years. Their tensile strength is more than 100 times that of steel, and their thermal conductivity is a lot higher. This makes them ideal candidates for electrical shielding. In addition, they can be used to produce ultra-breathable membranes. A number of companies plan to make hundreds of tons of carbon nanotubes each year.
The first description of CNTs was published in the Nature journal in 1991 by Japanese scientist Sumio Iijima. He was inspired by the discovery of fullerenes in 1985. At the same time, Iijima was working on developing high-resolution transmission electron microscopy methods.
Graphene
Graphene is a thin two dimensional material that is extremely transparent, flexible, and durable. It has many applications. Some of these applications include optical and optoelectronic thin films, wearable electronics, and super-strength composite materials.
This material has a hexagonal crystal structure that is much stronger than diamond. The sp2 bonds between the carbon atoms are very strong. However, a large amount of impurities may interfere with the optical properties of graphene.
Graphene is also an exceptionally good conductor of heat. In fact, it has a higher conductivity than copper and steel. Another benefit of graphene is its high strength. A single layer of graphene is nearly twice as hard as steel.
Although graphene is not a new material, it has only recently been studied in great detail. During this period, scientists have been working on a variety of ways to make the material. Currently, researchers are looking for simple, eco-friendly approaches to production.
Self-assembling nanoparticles
Diamane is a new material that scientists have created. This material is stronger and tougher than diamonds. It has potential uses in a variety of applications, including ultra-light bulletproof armor and water-resistant protective coatings.
Diamene is made of two layers of graphene. These layers are arranged in a honeycomb pattern. The hexagonal shape of the material allows it to hold a rigid cylindrical structure.
The atomic structure of diamane is similar to that of a diamond. However, it has a band gap that is smaller than that of a diamond. As a result, this new material could have many future uses.
The new material is also flexible. When it is not under pressure, it behaves like tin foil. But when it is under pressure, it becomes hard and rigid.
Microalloy glass
A new material has been discovered that is harder than diamonds, and researchers hope it will help them build tougher bulletproof windows and more durable solar panels. The new glass is made from carbon atoms arranged in a different way. It is referred to as AM-III and is more than ten times stronger than steel.
The material has been created by a team led by Professor Tian Yongjun at Yanshan University. Researchers subjected fullerenes to pressures and high temperatures. They then compressed the molecules and created a structure called diamene. This structure is composed of two layers of graphene. When the material is compressed, the bonds are aligned, and the material becomes rigid.
It is unclear if the new material is a direct replacement for diamonds. However, it is a strong and transparent material with exceptional mechanical and electronic properties.
Tetrahedral diamond
One of the hardest substances on Earth is a diamond. Diamonds are made of carbon atoms arranged in a dense lattice. The structure accounts for its durability.
Scientists have found a new material that is harder than diamond. It is also able to withstand pressures three million times greater than the atmospheric pressure. This could have applications in space missions or airplane structures.
Researchers have been trying to find super-hard materials for a long time. Several terrestrial materials such as high performance polythene, high strength glass and quartz are known to be stronger than diamond. However, some of these materials are difficult to work with or have limited uses.
Now, researchers have found a method to create a synthetic diamond. In this new process, carbon atoms are heated with a fast laser pulse. They are then quickly cooled. This produces a novel type of carbon called Q-carbon.