University of Hong Kong Researchers Discover Piezoelectric Effect in Flexible Diamond Membranes
Breakthrough Led by Prof. Zhiqin Chu and Prof. Yuan Lin Published in Science Advances
Discovery Paves Way for Self-Powered Medical Implants, Micro-Sensors, and Wearables.
In a ground-breaking scientific discovery, researchers at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) have proven that diamonds can generate electricity when bent or deformed, overturning a century-old belief that classified diamonds as non-piezoelectric materials. The study, published in the journal Science Advances, demonstrates that ultrathin, highly flexible diamond membranes produce measurable electrical voltage under mechanical stress.
Since the early 1900s, scientists classified diamonds as non-piezoelectric due to their symmetric crystal structure, assuming they could not convert mechanical pressure into electrical energy. However, a research team co-led by Associate Professor Zhiqin Chu (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering) and Professor Yuan Lin (Department of Mechanical Engineering) utilized an innovative exfoliation method to fabricate ultrathin polycrystalline diamond membranes. Reducing the rigid material into extremely thin layers allowed it to bend seamlessly, observing stable electrical voltage signals during deformation.
First-principles calculations conducted by the team revealed that the unexpected piezoelectricity stems from local structural asymmetries along grain boundaries in the thin polycrystalline diamond. This breakthrough opens up revolutionary possibilities for the technology and healthcare sectors, paving the way for ultra-durable diamond-powered micro-sensors, intelligent wearable electronics, and maintenance-free, self-powered medical implants.
