Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have made a groundbreaking discovery using the supercomputer “Frontier” – the simulation of a new carbon phase dubbed “super diamond”. This new substance, composed of eight carbon atoms, is believed to be even harder than naturally occurring diamonds on Earth.
The special carbon phase, known as BC8, has been theorized to be stable under normal temperatures and pressures, making it possible to exist and be studied in a laboratory setting. Despite previous attempts to synthesize BC8, including experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), its presence has not yet been observed.
However, researchers believe that BC8 could exist on carbon-rich exoplanets, planets located outside of our solar system. These exoplanets have extreme conditions that may have given rise to unique carbon structures like diamond and BC8. Scientists hope that studying BC8’s properties will provide insight into the interiors of these distant planets.
The supercomputer simulations also suggest that BC8 is 30% more resistant to compression than regular diamonds, making it a potential candidate for a new superhard material. Research on BC8 was recently published in Physical Chemistry Letters.
The research team, led by Ivan Oleynik from the University of South Florida, is eager to continue studying BC8 and hopes to one day be able to grow super diamonds in the laboratory. The discovery of this new carbon phase opens up new possibilities for materials science and could lead to advancements in various technologies.
For more cutting-edge science and technology news, visit Tomorrow Science Network. The research papers referenced in this article can be found in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters.