"Creating Super Diamonds: Squeezing Harder Crystals with Supercomputer Simulations"

Physicists have used supercomputing to simulate the behavior of diamond under high pressure and temperature, revealing new insights into the elusive BC8 phase of carbon, which is expected to be even harder than diamond. The simulations provide clues on the conditions needed to push carbon atoms into this unusual structure, potentially paving the way for its synthesis in a lab. The BC8 phase, thought to exist in high-pressure environments deep inside exoplanets, could open up new research and material application possibilities if stabilized closer to home. Despite previous difficulties in synthesizing BC8 carbon, the simulations have identified the specific high-pressure, high-temperature conditions required for its formation, offering hope for its eventual achievement.