Diamonds created using electron beams, overturning 'common wisdom'

Researchers at the University of Tokyo, led by Professor Eiichi Nakamura, have developed a novel method to create nanodiamonds by irradiating adamantane—a cage-shaped hydrocarbon molecule with a diamond-like carbon skeleton—with electron beams inside a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Contrary to the prevailing belief that electron beams destroy organic molecules, their technique uses controlled electron irradiation to break carbon–hydrogen bonds and form new carbon–carbon bonds, transforming adamantane into defect-free nanodiamonds approximately 10 nanometers in diameter. This process occurs at relatively low pressures and without the extreme heat or crushing pressures traditionally required for diamond synthesis, marking a significant breakthrough in both synthetic diamond production and electron microscopy. The discovery not only challenges the long-standing assumption that electron beams irreversibly damage organic molecules but also opens new possibilities for material science and technology. The unique diamond-like structure of adamantane is crucial for this transformation, as other hydrocarbons did not yield similar results. Potential applications include advancements in