Lockheed Martin 3d Diamond Printing patent!

[SpyderEdgeForever]

http://www.3ders.org/articles/20160805- ... inter.html


" “Diamond is among the hardest known materials, has a high melting and boiling point, and is an excellent thermal conductor as well as electrical insulator,” the patent states. “Objects made out of diamond may be able to take advantage of these properties. For example, tools made out of diamond, such as drill bits, saws, or knives, may be more durable than tools made of conventional materials due to the hardness of diamond. Diamond can be produced in a variety of ways including as a powder in the form of diamond nanoparticles and from the pyrolysis of a pre-ceramic polymer.”"


I can see 3d printed diamond knives and cutting tools. If you can laminate the layers of diamond and control it at the atomic level you could put crack-stopping structures in there that would allow the diamond to retain its hardness and strength AND have toughness and some flexibility, too.

http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Pars ... 0160214272

[awa54]

There are already amazing things made with vapor deposited diamond, atomic level manipulation aside, "normal" 3D printed diamond will probably have a mind boggling number of applications, as well as making current applications easier to mass produce.

Carbon is some incredible stuff!

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Great point, awa! Definitely. Carbon is amazing. Not only is it the basis of biological life, but, it has so many uses and is so versatile. One geochemist (who is also interested in aluminum and silicon oxide based materials like ceramics of different types) told me the only 'flaw' in carbon is that carbon compounds tend to be somewhat flammable at high temperatures. But that can be overcome and resisted in different ways. Even a diamond will burn in the presence of oxygen but then ofcourse so will other compounds.

I am eager for a Spyderco Endura with laminated shatter resistant diamond blade :)