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

Inside Diamond Cover (issue 9)

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Inside Diamond

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What Does Diamond Do? Engineering

Engineering the future with Diamond light

Getting a reaction

Catalysis is at the heart of the chemical industry, speeding up reactions and helping to create useful substances. Catalysts are used in everything from cars, to pharmaceuticals, to manufacturing; and the need to understand catalysis at the atomic level is driven by both economic and environmental concerns. Scientists use Diamond to study catalysts in great detail and under real-life conditions in order to get the structural information they need to formulate improved versions that are stronger, cheaper, and more effective.

Shaping hydrogen storage

Hydrogen has immense potential as a powerful and environmentally-friendly fuel source. However it is currently only possible to store and transport hydrogen either as a liquid at very low temperatures or as a gas under very high pressure; both of these have serious implications for weight, cost, and safety. And so scientists are using Diamond to look into novel ways of storing hydrogen under low pressures to help make it feasible as a more widely-used fuel.

Boosting biofuels

Many naturally-occurring processes involve transforming waste products into sources of fuel. But harnessing the potential of sustainable biofuels on an industrial scale can prove a real challenge. Scientists are currently using Diamond to study different sources of biofuel, including natural enzymes that create liquid fuel from products like wood and mould.

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.

Navigating drone technology

Scientists are using Diamond to study the eyes of orchid bees in an attempt to determine how they navigate dense tropical forests. The orchid bees have a small brain the size of a sesame seed, but five eyes, two of which have thousands of lenses, make up for this lack of thinking power. This blue sky research could help support a range of future advances, including improved automated navigation technology for drones.

Combatting casting cracks

Manipulating a liquid alloy and then allowing it to form a solid is one of humankind’s oldest engineering processes. But defects can occur in this casting process that can ultimately lead to failure; not good news if a component is critical to safety, like an engine or a building material. With research performed at Diamond, scientists have studied why cracks occur during casting. Findings can be used to develop improved manufacturing techniques and safer alloy materials, and to improve modelling for maintenance so we know when to service and replace components.

Advancing automotives

Diamond is a leading centre for research into automotive engineering. Groups from academia and industry are exploring different routes for creating next-generation motor cars. Current projects include streamlined chassis design, enhanced fuels and lubricants for diesel and unleaded automobiles, as well as technology for improved electric vehicles.

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