
SYNTHETIC.SCIENCE
Unlocking Fusion Power and Planetary Secrets Through Melting Diamonds
<p>The quest to understand carbon at its most extreme limits is revealing transformative possibilities for energy and planetary science. For decades, a discrepancy existed between models and experiments regarding the point at which diamond melts under immense pressure. Recent breakthroughs have finally resolved this <b>twenty-year temperature gap</b>, confirming that diamond maintains its crystalline structure until it liquefies. This precise data on <b>high-pressure phase transitions</b> allows researchers to optimize the fuel capsules used in inertial confinement fusion. By using slower shock waves that still ensure complete melting, scientists aim to achieve significantly higher fuel compression. This...

