Scientists employ advanced imaging techniques to examine the diamonds from the Diablo Canyon meteorite, revealing that they are no ordinary gemstones, according to IFL Science. The meteorite fell approximately 50,000 years ago, creating the Diablo impact crater, one of the most intact impact craters in the world. In a study published in 2022, scientists revealed that the new type of rock not only possesses the hardness of regular diamonds but also exhibits extraordinary flexibility. Moreover, they possess adjustable properties with potential applications in electronic devices.
The diamonds used in jewelry are typically composed of carbon atoms arranged in a cubic structure, with each carbon atom bonded to four others, occasionally interrupted by other elements that contribute to their coloration. Lonsdaleite, a rare form of carbon, was first discovered in the Diablo Canyon meteorite in 1967. Previously, researchers believed it formed from carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, categorizing it as a carbon allotrope alongside graphite, amorphous carbon graphene, and graphyne.
However, when examining lonsdaleite using Raman spectroscopy and crystallography, Dr. Péter Németh from the Institute for Geological and Geochemical Research in Hungary discovered that lonsdaleite actually consists of alternating square-shaped diamonds and graphene, which he called diaphite. When diamonds and graphene meet, the outer layers separate unexpectedly. The amount of available lonsdaleite is too small to test certain characteristics. Nonetheless, the revealed model suggests its potential for designing materials that are both super hard and flexible, holding promise for numerous applications ranging from abrasives, electronic devices, nano-medicine, to laser technology.