Diamonds On Demand, For Research

Researchers in Australia now have the ability to fabricate ultra high-purity diamonds at the new Diamond Deposition Suite.

AsianScientist (May 12, 2014) – The Melbourne Center for Nanofabrication (MCN) has opened its new Diamond Deposition Suite (DDS), allowing researchers to produce ultra high-purity diamonds.

Diamonds are known for their remarkable properties, including the highest heat conductivity and the greatest chemical and radiation resistance of any material. However, diamond film has not been widely available to the research community due to high costs and manufacturing difficulties.

The DDS works by using a continuous microwave source to heat hydrogen and carbon in the form of methane, until the atoms break down to become highly reactive plasma. By adding other gases to the plasma, diamond coatings can be made to be either highly insulating or highly conductive.

Dr. Dwayne Kirk, managing director of the MCN, said that custom-made diamond coatings offer a range of new opportunities for research and industry.

“Australian researchers are already leading the way in using diamond coatings to enhance the bionic eye, said Kirk.

“In addition to medical bionics, the twin diamond production systems at MCN will extend the research and development possibilities for our industry partners in biosensor research, electronics, quantum information processing and manufacturing applications.”

The MCN is a purpose-built facility and operates as a joint venture between Monash University, the University of Melbourne, Swinburne University, Deakin University, La Trobe University, RMIT University and CSIRO.

The Diamond Deposition Suite is funded by the Australian Government under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure program and will join a portfolio of more than 500 instruments available through the Australian National Fabrication Facility.

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Source: Monash University; Photo: Kim Alaniz/Flickr/CC.

Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

Asian Scientist Magazine is an award-winning science and technology magazine that highlights R&D news stories from Asia to a global audience. The magazine is published by Singapore-headquartered Wildtype Media Group.

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