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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Diamonds produced from tequila | Diamonds produced from tequila |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| A method of producing synthetic diamonds using tequila - Mexico's favourite alcoholic drink - has been discovered, scientists there say. | A method of producing synthetic diamonds using tequila - Mexico's favourite alcoholic drink - has been discovered, scientists there say. |
| The amazing discovery was made by physicists from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and could have many industrial uses. | The amazing discovery was made by physicists from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and could have many industrial uses. |
| There is one catch however. The synthetic diamond crystals are too small to be turned into jewellery. | There is one catch however. The synthetic diamond crystals are too small to be turned into jewellery. |
| Mexico produces hundreds of millions of litres of tequila every year. | Mexico produces hundreds of millions of litres of tequila every year. |
| Annual sales to the US alone are worth about $500m. | Annual sales to the US alone are worth about $500m. |
| The head of the scientific team, Miguel Apatica explained to the BBC how they came up with their discovery. | The head of the scientific team, Miguel Apatica explained to the BBC how they came up with their discovery. |
| "First of all we turn the liquid tequila into vapour by using a lot of heat. The gas molecules are then broken up into tiny particles. Then we increase the heat even further - to around 800 degrees celsius." | "First of all we turn the liquid tequila into vapour by using a lot of heat. The gas molecules are then broken up into tiny particles. Then we increase the heat even further - to around 800 degrees celsius." |
| "The end result is that we get carbon atoms which are then deposited in the shape of a very thin diamond film," he added. | "The end result is that we get carbon atoms which are then deposited in the shape of a very thin diamond film," he added. |
| The synthetic diamond crystals can only be seen under an electronic microscope. | The synthetic diamond crystals can only be seen under an electronic microscope. |
| Although they cannot be used for jewellery, there are plenty of practical applications for them. | Although they cannot be used for jewellery, there are plenty of practical applications for them. |
| They can be used as an alternative to silicon in computer chips or as ultra fine cutting instruments in medical procedures. | |
| One advantage of making diamond film from tequila is that it is extremely cheap. | One advantage of making diamond film from tequila is that it is extremely cheap. |
| The scientists found that even the cheapest of tequila brands, averaging at $3 a bottle, are good enough to make diamonds. | The scientists found that even the cheapest of tequila brands, averaging at $3 a bottle, are good enough to make diamonds. |