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Death to Diamonds: the amazing journey!. Michelle Adlong and Kelsey Childress CH 226H Spring ‘007. What???. The LifeGem company will create diamonds out of your dead (or even live) relatives One human body has enough carbon to form 100 gems at 1 carat each $$$$!
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Death to Diamonds: the amazing journey! Michelle Adlong and Kelsey Childress CH 226H Spring ‘007
What??? • The LifeGem company will create diamonds out of your dead (or even live) relatives • One human body has enough carbon to form 100 gems at 1 carat each • $$$$! • Person can have been dead for hundreds of years, i.e. Beethoven
Allotropes of Carbon Amorphous Graphite Diamond Fullerenes
Graphite One of the softest materials known Good conductor Lubricant Opaque Hexagonal crystal structure (sheetlike) Diamond Hardest material known Electrical insulator Abrasive Transparent Isometric crystal structure (3-D) Graphite vs. Diamond
Synthetic vs. Natural Diamonds • Molecularly identical to each other • Synthetics available in more colors • 80% of natural diamonds are used in industry • Natural industry dominated by De Beers company; watch out where they come from. Prices result of capitalism. • Synthetic made by HPHT, CVD • Distinguishing: electron microscope, UV spectrometers, x-ray diffraction
The Life Gem Process 1) Cremated remains graphite • Purification at very high temps 2) Graphite Diamond • “Thermal gradient method” • Pressures ~~ 50,000 atm • 1,600 ° – 2,000° C • The longer the time in the diamond press, the larger the diamond • The entire process takes 6 - 9 months • Companies are closed-mouthed about exact “recipe”
The End • So next time a dearly beloved becomes deceased, consider diamond-ation with LifeGem, and… • Always remember “a diamond is forever!”