After 50 Years, Scientists Synthesize Lonsdaleite, the Hardest Diamond on Earth

Lonsdaleite is a rare hexagonal allotrope of carbon, structurally distinct from the more common cubic diamond. It was first identified in meteorites in the 1960s and has been of significant scientific interest due to its predicted superior hardness—estimated to be about 40% greater than that of conventional diamond. For the past fifty years, researchers have attempted to synthesize lonsdaleite in laboratory conditions, but these efforts had not previously resulted in the successful creation of the material in significant quantities. Recently, a team of scientists in China announced that they have managed to synthesize lonsdaleite in the laboratory. This breakthrough could have important implications for industrial applications that require extremely hard materials, such as cutting tools, abrasives, and protective coatings. The successful synthesis of lonsdaleite marks a significant milestone in materials science and could pave the way for further research into the properties and potential uses of this ultra-hard material.