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Scientists grow diamonds from scratch in 15 minutes thanks to groundbreaking new process.

Scientists have recently employed a groundbreaking new technique to synthesize diamonds at normal, atmospheric pressure and without the necessity of a starter gem. This significant advancement could revolutionize the way precious gemstones are grown in laboratory settings, simplifying the entire process considerably. - Live Science.

Natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth's mantle, located in a molten zone that is buried hundreds of miles beneath the surface of the planet. This intricate geological process occurs under tremendous pressures, reaching several gigapascals, as well as scorching temperatures that can exceed 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit (1,500 degrees Celsius), contributing to the unique characteristics of natural diamonds.

Similar extreme conditions are employed in the method currently used to synthesize an impressive 99% of all artificially created diamonds. This commonly utilized approach, known as high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) growth, relies on these harsh settings to transform carbon that is dissolved in liquid metals, such as iron, into diamond structures around a small seed, or starter diamond, which initiates the process of crystallization and growth.

However, generating and maintaining such high pressures and temperatures poses significant challenges. Additionally, the materials and components used in this process can affect the resulting diamonds' overall size, with the largest typically measuring about a cubic centimeter, roughly equivalent to the size of a small blueberry. Furthermore, the HPHT method is relatively time-consuming, often taking a week or two to produce even these diminutive gems. Another alternative method, referred to as chemical vapor deposition, successfully eliminates certain demanding requirements of HPHT, such as the need for high pressures. Nevertheless, it still retains other constraints, such as the necessity for seed diamonds.

The new technique developed by researchers effectively eliminates several of the drawbacks associated with both synthesis processes. A dedicated team led by Rodney Ruoff, a prominent physical chemist at the Institute for Basic Science in South Korea, published their remarkable findings on April 24 in the esteemed journal Nature, pointing towards a new era for diamond synthesis.

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