High-Pressure Energy Research

A diamond anvil cell (DAC) is a device that generates static high pressure and temperature to study the properties of materials subjected to extreme conditions. Two inverted diamond anvils sandwich a metallic gasket that houses a sample. The force applied in opposite directions on the anvils creates pressure on the sample. It can be done differently, depending on the geometry and structure. Thus, the high force applied to the larger side of the diamonds generates high pressure at the tiny tip of the two anvils.

The three primary properties of diamond that make it ideal for anvil material are

• Transparency across a broad EM spectrum
• Extreme hardness
• Chemical inertness

The transparency of diamond to a broader EM spectrum allows optical techniques under in-situ high pressure and temperature conditions. It enables researchers and industries to study crystal structures, phase transformations, EOSs, and other thermodynamic properties of materials.

DAC finds applications in studying material transformations in geology, material properties for industrial applications, and analysing hydrocarbons and toxic wastes in energy and environmental research. Their ability to simulate high pressures and temperatures makes them indispensable across various fields, from understanding Earth’s interior to advancing manufacturing and aeronautics to facilitating nuclear research.