The "Material Frontier" lecture series recently took place in Room 3101 at the Lotus Street Campus. Professor Li Zhengxin, Dean of the School of Materials Science and Engineering, delivered an engaging and insightful talk titled "Diamond and Carbon Materials" to students from Guangyuan University of Materials. His lecture provided a comprehensive overview of the development, recent advancements, fundamental principles, and practical applications of diamond and carbon-based materials.
Professor Li highlighted how China has made significant progress since the successful synthesis of diamonds in 1963. Over the years, the production of synthetic diamonds has steadily increased, with wide-ranging applications such as cutting tools, PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond) tools, oil and mining drill bits, and wire drawing dies. He emphasized the critical role of single-crystal diamond cutters, which have become essential in various industrial fields. However, he also pointed out that the quality of Chinese diamond products remains in the mid-to-low range, indicating a need for further improvement and innovation.
In addition, he discussed carbon materials, noting their excellent electrical conductivity, lubricity, thermal shock resistance, and chemical stability. Some carbon materials, like graphene, are even harder than diamond. Graphene, being the thinnest and strongest nanomaterial, is almost completely transparent and exhibits remarkable electrical properties—over ten times stronger than steel. These unique characteristics have drawn significant attention from industries worldwide.
Throughout the lecture, Professor Li demonstrated his deep expertise and passion for the subject, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience. He also took time to address students' questions, offering clear and thoughtful explanations about the challenges and opportunities in diamond and carbon material research.
The event not only broadened students' understanding of cutting-edge developments in materials science but also inspired them to pursue research in their respective fields. Many expressed a renewed commitment to combining theory with practice, enhancing their scientific thinking and innovation skills, and contributing to technological advancement through the materials industry. (School of Materials Science and Engineering, Dou Wenxiang)
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