Scientists have used a new technique to synthesize diamonds at normal, atmospheric pressure and without a starter gem, which could make the precious gemstones easier to grow in the lab.
Carbon, compressed hard enough it becomes diamond, forms a square crystal lattice that is so crazy stable that it’s very resistant to change (including from burning).
I don’t know specific temps, but graphite forms a hexagonal lattice that is highly stable on 2 dimensions. The bonds between layers of hexagons are weaker which lets it be brittle in all the ways we love graphite. I’m not sure how this specific geometry changes the affinity to bond to oxygen.
Whut?
Defense contractors want to grow diamond computer processors. Because silicon breaks down at high temperatures.
Don’t diamonds burn? They are just carbon.
At around 1700f, yeah. Silicone burns at around half that, so it would be an improvement regardless.
Ah, I just assume as it was carbon it would still be quite low (relatively)
Carbon, compressed hard enough it becomes diamond, forms a square crystal lattice that is so crazy stable that it’s very resistant to change (including from burning).
Is diamond more resistant to burning than other forms of carbon? I thought even lowly graphite is pretty stable at high temperatures…
I don’t know specific temps, but graphite forms a hexagonal lattice that is highly stable on 2 dimensions. The bonds between layers of hexagons are weaker which lets it be brittle in all the ways we love graphite. I’m not sure how this specific geometry changes the affinity to bond to oxygen.
Just like humans are basically just trees, because they’re both carbon based lifeforms, right?
Na, we are bags of water for the purposes of most approximations
Yeah, but at about 400 degrees higher than silicon.