Synthesising novel phases of carbon by shear-induced phase transformations

碳形成了已知的最坚硬的固体，并为具有优异性能的新材料提供了机会。该项目的目的是建立一种新的技术，在不需要高温的情况下合成致密的类金刚石碳材料。该方法利用非静力压缩产生的剪应力来驱动固体中的相变。在建模和使用新的实验技术的指导下，该项目试图理解并利用这种显著的相变现象。预期的结果包括用于高性能工具的坚硬和坚韧的涂层，提高仿生植入物寿命的不渗透封装，以及对深部地震之谜的可能解释。

Carbon forms the hardest known solids and offers the opportunity for new materials with outstanding properties. The aim of this project is to establish a new technology for synthesising dense, diamond-like carbon materials without the need for high temperatures. The approach uses shear stress caused by non-hydrostatic compressions to drive phase changes in solids. Guided by modelling and using novel experimental techniques, this project seeks to understand and then exploit this remarkable phase change phenomenon. Expected outcomes include hard and tough coatings for high performance tools, impermeable encapsulations to enhance the longevity of bionic implants and a possible explanation for the mystery of deep earthquakes.