Core Viewpoint - The successful conversion of high-quality graphite single crystal precursors into hexagonal diamond by an international research team led by scientists from Beijing High Pressure Science Research Center and Xi'an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences marks a significant advancement in material science, potentially paving the way for hexagonal diamond as a new generation of high-performance functional materials [1] Summary by Relevant Sections - The mechanical properties of hexagonal diamond are comparable to those of cubic diamond, indicating its potential as a strong material [1] - Unlike cubic diamond, which has a single carbon-carbon bond length, hexagonal diamond exhibits two different bond length distributions and significantly reduced interlayer spacing, addressing the weakness of cubic diamond's slip along densely packed planes [1] - This systematic research resolves a 60-year debate regarding the macroscopic existence of hexagonal diamond, establishing a solid foundation for future development of this material [1]

Core Viewpoint - The research team successfully converted high-quality graphite single crystal precursors into hexagonal diamond, demonstrating comparable mechanical properties to cubic diamond, which opens new avenues for high-performance functional materials development [1] Group 1: Research Achievements - The study published in the journal "Nature" confirms the existence of hexagonal diamond, resolving a 60-year debate regarding its macroscopic existence [1] - Hexagonal diamond exhibits two different bond length distributions, unlike cubic diamond which has a single carbon-carbon bond length, and shows significantly reduced interlayer spacing [1] Group 2: Implications for Material Science - The unique stacking arrangement of carbon atoms in hexagonal diamond effectively overcomes the weakness of cubic diamond's close-packed planes, which are prone to slip [1] - This systematic research lays a solid foundation for the future development of hexagonal diamond as a new generation of high-performance functional materials [1]