Scientists use diamonds to create new state of hydrogen
Using diamonds and a high-pressure chamber, British scientists were able to create what they believe is a precursor state to the substance known as metallic hydrogen. Credit: Philip Dalladay-Simpson and Eugene Gregoryanz
Scientists are using diamonds to create a new state of hydrogen, a recent study in the journal Nature reports. The team placed hydrogen under so much pressure that it took on a previously unseen solid crystalline form. The researchers believe this new form could be the precursor to a long sought after substance known as 'metallic hydrogen. Metallic hydrogen was first predicted almost 80 years ago. If created, it could have immense potential for creating super-efficient rocket fuel as well as extremely fast computers. To create the new substance, researchers set up a diamond anvil cell. The cell was created by placing two diamonds opposite each other, with the tips designed to press into a cavity containing a tiny hydrogen sample. The team then used a large lever arm to apply nearly a ton of force on the back of the diamond. This generated a huge amount of pressure inside the cell.
The experiment achieved in excess of 350 gigapascals (3.5 million atmospheres) at room temperature, BBC News reports. That amount of pressure first turns the hydrogen gas into a liquid, and then morphs it into a solid. As the pressure continues to build, the molecules get closer and closer together and the electrical conductivity in the crystalline material increases.
Eventually, the hydrogen atoms get so close together than they share their electrons in the same way that metal does. At least, that is the idea.
However, researchers have not quite reached that phase. Rather, they are one step short. The end result they are looking for is a mixed structure of different layers, but the layers in the recently created substance simply alternate.
Even so, it is an extremely impressive achievement.
"Our study presents the first experimental evidence that hydrogen could behave as predicted, although at much higher pressures than previously thought. The finding will help to advance the fundamental and planetary sciences " said Professor Eugene Gregoryanz, of the University of Edinburgh's School of Physics and Astronomy in a statement.
The work also suggests that full metallic hydrogen may exist below 450 gigapascals at room temperature. If so, the substance could be a new type of zero resistance conductor used to boost the performance of future computers or as the basis of a new rocket super fuel.
In addition, researchers also believe that metallic hydrogen could teach us more about the universe. This is because there is a chance that the substance makes up the internal composition of planets, such as Jupiter. But the current quantities of the new substance are so small, there is no way to predict any practical applications just yet.
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