Most of you should know what that is. Felt burning down the throats of many, underage or not, then followed swiftly with a hard bite down on a slice of lime, this is the oh-so-famous tequila. It has been long established as a recipe for disaster for those who have this as their drink of choice for the night.
In the university scene, it is very well known that science majors are not exactly the partygoers. We have been known to stay in our rooms on a Friday studying for that midterm 2 weeks from now (wow, who does that?). But today, we strike back! A group of scientists have bravely taken up tequila and made diamonds out of them! Wait, what? Yeah, you heard me. They made diamonds with tequila.
Like alchemists trying to turn lead into gold not-so-many years ago, scientists now attempt to create diamonds from organic compounds. After experimenting with acetone (nail polish remover) and just normal ethanol, they noticed a 40:60 ratio of organic compound to water was perfect.
40% ethanol. Where have I heard that number before? Oh right, hard liquor! After experimenting with various alcohol distillation types, they have found tequila to be most successful. As quoted from the scientist in the article, “There is no doubt; tequila has the exact proportion of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms necessary to form diamonds.”
Many long nights (and wasted tequila bottles) later, an established methodology has been laid down as the groundwork for possibly further production in diamonds. The tequila is first heated to 280 ºC to turn it into a vapour. The gas is further heated to 800ºC under high pressure to break down the molecular structure, resulting in diamond crystals. The diamond crystals were gathered on a silicon tray to make a thin diamond film.
This diamond film is hard and heat resistant, more so than other diamonds made with different organic compounds. Useful applications of this could include high power semiconductors, found in your computer, radiation detectors, or high accuracy optical devices. But for now, scientists will first experiment with the different brands and their effects on the diamond film.
That’s all from me for now. I am currently in a gathering data mode for something closer-to-home, so stay tuned!
A shot… FOR SCIENCE!
My so-very-asian friend, it is probably better for your ever-so-interesting blog if you refrain from overusing a certain, how-do-you-say, repetitive writing motif that a so-called writing-inclined person like myself might find to be somewhat… annoying.
Just busting your chops. Keep in mind that police officers may not find your “science” excuse for being drunk and naked in the middle of the street to be as legitimate as you might think it is.