"New Material Poised to Surpass Diamond as the Hardest Substance"

Scientists have long theorized that an ultra-dense form of carbon called BC8 could be even harder than diamond and may exist on carbon-rich exoplanets. Using supercomputer simulations, researchers have now gained insight into the narrow pressure and temperature conditions under which BC8 can form. This discovery could have significant implications for various industries. Previous attempts to observe BC8's atomic structure have been unsuccessful, but the recent simulations provide a potential pathway for creating BC8 and understanding its properties.