---
title: "Scientists Use ‘Smallest Possible Diamonds’ To Form Ultra-Thin Nanothreads"
description: "Scientists have discovered how to produce ultra-thin \"diamond nanothreads\" that promise extraordinary properties, including strength and stiffness greater than that of today's strongest nanotubes and polymers."
date: "2014-12-04"
modified: "2015-08-13"
authors:
  - name: "Amber Raynolds"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/amber24"
url: "https://futurism.com/scientists-use-smallest-possible-diamonds-form-ultra-thin-nanothreads"
categories:
  - "Future Materials"
  - "Nanotech"
  - "Science & Energy"
tags:
  - "materials"
---

# Scientists Use ‘Smallest Possible Diamonds’ To Form Ultra-Thin Nanothreads

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/10-scientistsus.jpg>)

- The team is first to have coaxed molecules containing carbon atoms to form the strong tetrahedron shape, then link each tetrahedron end to end to form a long, thin nanothread
- The scientists confirmed the structure of their diamond nanothreads with a number of techniques at Penn State, Oak Ridge, Arizona State University and the Carnegie Institution for Science
- The nanothread also may be the first member of a new class of diamond-like nanomaterials based on a strong tetrahedral core.