Mariah's Journal

12-15-08

     Today I continued research on the development of the artificial diamond. I found out that there are two main processes to create diamonds. One is crushing carbon, used for tools and such. The other is chemical vapor deposition, uses for jewelry-quality diamonds and possibly for future use in computer chips, medical instruments, and lasers. I also started looking into uses of artificial diamonds. I made this journal and its links and will copy and paste my notes on the synthetic diamonds page.

12-16-08

     I posted my research from yesterday on the synthetic diamond page along with more I did today. I found alot about the uses of diamonds, since it goes right along with the production. I added the part that says:

     "Other than attractive jewelry, Diamonds have many other practical uses. They have many qualities hard to find in any other material. One company called Element Six, associated with De Beers, has invested 100 million dollars in the research and development of uses for diamonds. 

      Diamonds are the hardest material known to man. They are very useful in the machine and cutting industry. They have been used in making diamond tipped saws, diamond drills bits, and other abrasive tools by companies such as US Synthetic. A possible use, not yet created is the idea of using diamonds as a coating that will never scratch or wear out (i.e. car surface, coating tools). 

     Another important characteristic of a diamond is that it is chemically inert. Diamonds won’t chemically react with any other material. This makes them useful in chemistry sciences. It has been put to many uses, such as purifying water. 

     Diamonds can act as a semiconductor. This is important in the world of electronics.  Diamonds conduct heat, and when combined with certain other substances, such as boron, they conduct electricity. Since diamonds are extremely resistant to heat, chemical damage, and radioactive damage, they can process at speeds much greater than the silicon we use in electronics we use today, and last in rough situations. Diamonds haven’t been used in commercial electronics yet, but when they do we can expect cell phones and computers running faster than ever with seemingly endless memory space. 

     The optical clarity and durability of a diamond could prove very useful in development of powerful lasers. Currently the most powerful lasers operate at 20 kilowatts, and the leaders in the industry are hoping to double that. With that much power, the zinc-selenide lenses the laser beam passes through begin to warp and distort the light. Using a diamond lens will solves these problems.

     Medical companies show interest in using diamonds as replacement joints. With their frictionless qualities and extreme durability they would make flawless joints.

http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/print/562

http://xinkaishi.typepad.com/a_new_start/2008/07/ft-element-six-artificial-diamonds-hip-joints.html"

12-17-08

     Today I formatted this journal page as well as the Synthetic Diamond page to fit the style sheet. Twice, actually.

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