Korean Scientists Develop a Method to Produce Diamonds in Just 15 Minutes Without Any Seed Particles

In a groundbreaking advancement that could revolutionize the diamond industry, a team of scientists from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology in Korea has developed a method to grow diamonds in just 15 minutes, without the need for seed particles. 

This innovative approach, detailed in a recent paper published in Nature, offers a faster and potentially more efficient alternative to the conventional diamond-growing processes.

Traditional methods of growing diamonds, such as the high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) technique discovered by General Electric in 1955, are time-consuming and require significant resources. 

The HPHT method involves dissolving carbon in liquid metal at extreme pressures of about 5 Giga Pascals (50,000 times atmospheric pressure) and temperatures between 1,300 to 1,600 degrees Celsius. 

This process typically takes about 12 days to produce synthetic diamonds, which are generally small in size.

The new method developed by the Korean team dramatically reduces the time required to produce diamonds. 

The researchers, including Indian scientist Babu Ram, created a unique cocktail of gallium, iron, nickel, and silicon, which they placed in a graphite crucible. 

By pumping methane into this mixture at 1,175 degrees Celsius, they were able to form diamonds at ambient pressure—a significant departure from the high-pressure requirements of the HPHT method.

The process begins with the cocktail of metals solidifying at the bottom of the crucible, where the liquid metal forms diamonds exhibiting rainbow colors to the naked eye. 

By using a different methane isotope, 13CH4, which contains a carbon isotope, the researchers produced even purer diamonds. 

Advanced techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction confirmed the crystals' diamond structure.

The key to this rapid diamond growth lies in the creation of a "temperature gradient" within the crucible. 

The researchers observed that diamonds began to nucleate and grow at the center of this gradient, where the temperature was slightly lower. 

Carbon atoms rushed to this spot, piling up and forming the diamond structure. 

Remarkably, diamonds began to form within 10 to 15 minutes and continued to grow until around 150 minutes.

This novel method not only significantly reduces the time required to produce diamonds but also operates at ambient pressure, making it a potentially more accessible and cost-effective approach. 

While the current system may not yet be perfect, the Korean scientists are optimistic about refining the process. 

They suggest that tweaking the cocktail of metals could yield even better results, opening new avenues for diamond growth.

The implications of this discovery are profound. 

Faster and more efficient diamond production could benefit various industries, from jewelry to high-tech applications in electronics and cutting tools. 

The method also aligns with ongoing efforts to reduce the environmental impact of diamond mining by providing a sustainable alternative.

In summary, the development of a 15-minute diamond growth method without seed particles marks a significant leap forward in materials science. 

As the Korean scientists continue to refine their approach, the future of diamond manufacturing looks both promising and transformative.