Graphite-to-diamond transformation induced in 10 nanoseconds http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/pt/diamond/pdf/drm17-931.pdf
Graphite-to-diamond transformation induced by ultrasound cavitation Abstract Diamond microcrystals have been synthesized using ultrasonic cavitation of a suspension of hexagonal graphite in various organic liquid media, at an average bulk temperature of the liquid up to 120°C and at atmospheric pressure. The yield of diamond is up to 10% by mass. The diamonds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and laser Raman spectroscopy. Analysis of the crystallite size distribution showed that the diamonds were nearly mono-dispersed, having a size 6 or 9μm ± 0.5μm, with cubic, crystalline morphology. Cheers: Axil On Mon, Aug 27, 2012 at 10:43 PM, Bob Higgins <[email protected]>wrote: > My apologies all, > > After typing that in, I failed to read what I had typed - I guess my brain > was on auto-complete. Here is the corrected quote: > > "Strong decided to add not just a little hydrogen, but a huge amount in > the form a chunk of polyethylene plastic, which averages two hydrogen atoms > for every one of CARBON. At conditions of diamond formation, Strong was to > learn, polyethylene breaks down to form carbon and hydrogen - lots of > hydrogen." ... "The belt apparatus blew up during Strong's very first > attempt. With a deafening detonation and impact that shook the entire > knoll research complex ..." ... "Shrapnel sprayed out across the room and > ricocheted off the walls and ceiling." > > On Mon, Aug 27, 2012 at 8:09 PM, Bob Higgins <[email protected]>wrote: > >> As I read about spectacular explosions in LENR experiments - that appear >> to have explosive energy beyond available chemical means - I recall >> something I read in a book that may be somewhat obscure to this forum. In >> Robert Hazen's book, "the Diamond makers", he describes the history of high >> temperature high pressure research and the quest to create synthetic >> diamonds. The need for diamonds was primarily for machine cutting tools >> and abrasives. In the later stages of diamond making equipment >> development, a high temperature (1000C) and high pressure (100,000-150,000 >> atmospheres) press was developed called "the belt" (Tracy Hall, ~1954). >> This machine consists of a toroidal "belt" having a parabolic >> cross-section and tungsten carbide anvils pressing into the middle. This >> machine would ultimately go on to become the primary means of producing >> industrial diamond. >> >> During development of the process for transforming graphite into diamond, >> it was suggested by George Kennedy that hydrogen would be a catalyst for >> diamond crystal growth (it is). The book includes this recount from an >> interview with Herbert Strong: >> >> "Strong decided to add not just a little hydrogen, but a huge amount in >> the form a chunk of polyethylene plastic, which averages two hydrogen atoms >> for every one of hydrogen. At conditions of diamond formation, Strong was >> to learn, polyethylene breaks down to form carbon and hydrogen - lots of >> hydrogen." ... "The belt apparatus blew up during Strong's very first >> attempt. With a deafening detonation and impact that shook the entire >> knoll research complex ..." ... "Shrapnel sprayed out across the room and >> ricocheted off the walls and ceiling." >> >> To me, this sounds like more energy than could have been released by >> chemical reaction from a small "chunk of polyethylene". Could this have >> been a LENR explosion? >> >> Interestingly, the successful diamond making process included compressing >> the graphite in molten nickel at high pressure. >> > > > > -- > > Regards, > Bob Higgins > >
