Materials scientists at the University of South Florida used artificial intelligence (AI) tools to model a new, ultra-strong form of carbon called BC8. This substance is 30% harder than diamond, which is considered the strongest material known to man. The study was published in the scientific journal broadcasting Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters (TJPCL).
BC8 is an eight-atom crystal. As modeling on the powerful Frontier supercomputer shows, its synthesis requires a narrow range of pressures and temperatures that cannot yet be achieved under laboratory conditions.
Scientists also suggested that suitable conditions for the formation of BC8 may exist on some carbon-rich exoplanets.
According to calculations, BC8 should be very stable at ultra-high pressures of 1250 gigapascals, which is 12 million times higher than atmospheric pressure at the Earth’s surface. Experts noted that BC8’s atomic structure is similar to that of diamond, but it lacks diamond cleavage planes, which are the weakest point of gemstones.
Previously microbiologists learned Search for diamonds using bacteria.