Hong Kong: (RightNow) Researchers at Hong Kong University have discovered that ultra-thin flexible diamond membranes can generate electricity. This finding challenges the centuries-old assumption that diamonds cannot produce electricity.

These unexpected membranes could open new opportunities for diamond-powered sensors and small energy systems. Their use in automated medical implants is also possible.

The research was led by Professor Zikun Zhu from Electrical and Computer Engineering and Professor Yuan Lin from Mechanical Engineering. They measured the piezoelectric response of diamond membranes.

This research is significant as diamonds have been considered non-piezoelectric materials since the 1900s. This study challenges traditional concepts of diamonds.

It is noteworthy that diamonds were previously thought to not generate electrical voltage when mechanically deformed. Researchers used advanced exfoliation techniques to create thin diamond membranes and observed voltage signals.