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These articles were published in our popular science magazine: Inside Diamond

Inside Diamond Cover (issue 9)

What Does Diamond Do? Materials

Scientists use Diamond to develop smart new materials that support technology, engineering, and the environment

Chemical sponges

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are man-made chemical sponges that can trap certain materials while leaving others untouched. Researchers at Diamond are trying to learn more about MOFs so that we can use them for carbon capture and hydrogen storage, as well as in catalysis and drug delivery.

Graphene 2.0

Scientists at Diamond have discovered a new material which could revolutionise consumer technology. The super-material is a hybrid of graphene and something called a ‘topological insulator’, but unlike graphene it is three dimensional, making it easier to use. The new material carries huge amounts of information and could soon lead to gadgets that are smaller, quicker, and less power hungry.

Photovoltaics

Photovoltaic materials are the driving force behind solar power; they use photons emitted by the sun to excite electrons in the material, creating electrical current. Research at Diamond is looking at making these materials even more effective by manipulating their components and structure. From reordering nanocrystals in the materials, to investigating solar cells made from organic matter, scientists at Diamond are driving forward solar technology with ever more advanced photovoltaic materials.

Super strong welds

In welding, work-pieces are melted to form a pool of metal that cools and solidifies into a joint. Welds hold together our bridges, buildings, ships, planes, pipelines, and reactor vessels, so we want them to be faultless. Scientists at Diamond are exploring how welds form inside the weld pool at the microscopic and atomic level; they want to develop improved welds that are even stronger and more durable – leading to safer and longer-lasting infrastructure.

Superconductors

Superconducting materials have the incredible capability of being able to generate an electrical current that flows forever so long as they are cooled below a particular temperature. They can create extremely powerful electronic circuits without ever needing to be topped up, and they’re already used in magnetic Maglev trains, electric power lines, MRI machines, and synchrotrons! Researchers at Diamond are now trying to find ways to create superconducting materials at warmer temperatures; this could vastly broaden the applications of superconducting materials,

making them a widely available source of power.

Mega Microscopes

Diamond will soon be able to do even more advanced materials research with the addition of a materials analysis facility containing two cutting-edge new microscopes. These electron microscopes will allow scientists to scrutinise materials and chemical reactions taking place within those materials at the atomic level and in super high resolution. Opening in 2016, the facility will further establish Diamond a world-leading hub for materials analysis.

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