Tiny diamonds could enable huge advances in nanotechnology

(University of Maryland) University of Maryland researchers developed a new, quick and inexpensive method for constructing diamond-based hybrid nanoparticles in large quantities from the ground up, thereby circumventing many of the problems with current methods. The process begins with nanoscale diamonds containing a 'nitrogen vacancy' impurity that confers special optical and electromagnetic properties. By attaching metal particles or semiconducting'"quantum dots,' the researchers can create va...