Core Viewpoint - The article discusses China's dominance in the synthetic diamond industry, highlighting its technological advancements and the implications of recent export controls on superhard materials, which could impact global semiconductor production costs and capabilities [11][12][28]. Group 1: Synthetic Diamond Industry Overview - The synthetic diamond industry in China originated from the development of the six-sided press machine in the 1960s, enabling the country to produce industrial-grade synthetic diamonds independently [9][10]. - As of now, China accounts for 95% of the global synthetic diamond production, with Henan province contributing approximately 80% of the national output [10][11]. Group 2: Export Controls and Strategic Implications - Recent export controls on synthetic diamond products, including micro-powder, single crystals, and grinding wheels, are seen as a strategic move to increase production costs for foreign semiconductor manufacturers [11][12]. - The inability of foreign companies to produce six-sided press machines limits their capacity to expand synthetic diamond production, reinforcing China's market position [13]. Group 3: Future Risks and Opportunities - Despite China's current advantages, there is a risk of foreign competitors utilizing chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods to produce synthetic diamonds, which could disrupt the market [16][18]. - The demand for diamond-based thermal management solutions in AI chips and other technologies is projected to grow significantly, with the diamond cooling market expected to expand from $5 million in 2023 to $15.24 billion by 2030 [24][28].

Core Viewpoint - China's announcement of export controls on six types of superhard materials, including synthetic diamond powders and cutting tools, significantly impacts the U.S. high-tech industry, as it relies heavily on these materials from China [1][3]. Group 1: Export Controls and Industry Impact - The export controls, effective from November 8, target critical materials essential for high-tech applications, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing [1][3]. - The U.S. semiconductor industry expressed immediate concern, indicating that losing access to Chinese synthetic diamonds could delay high-end chip cooling solutions by three to five years and increase production costs by $200 per chip [9]. Group 2: Historical Context and Development - Historically, China struggled to produce synthetic diamonds and relied on imports from Japan and the U.S., facing high prices and technology restrictions [5]. - The breakthrough in synthetic diamond production began in the 1980s when Chinese researchers developed their own equipment to create synthetic diamonds, leading to a significant reduction in costs and increased domestic production capabilities [5][7]. Group 3: Current Industry Position - By the early 21st century, China established itself as a leader in the synthetic diamond industry, with production levels surpassing those of other countries, particularly in Henan province [7]. - China's synthetic diamond industry now generates substantial revenue, contributing over a thousand billion yuan annually, and has become a critical component in various high-tech applications, including aerospace and deep-sea exploration [9][11]. Group 4: Strategic Response to U.S. Actions - The simultaneous announcement of export controls on superhard materials and rare earth elements is viewed as a strategic countermeasure to U.S. technology suppression tactics initiated in 2018 [11]. - The measures reflect a shift in China's position from a reactive to a proactive stance in global supply chains, indicating a significant change in the dynamics of international trade and technology [11][13].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the urgent need to address the "hotspot" issues in semiconductor chips due to increasing power density and shrinking sizes, highlighting diamond as an ideal thermal management material due to its superior thermal conductivity and other advantageous properties [2][5][10]. Group 1: Thermal Management Challenges - The semiconductor industry is progressing towards smaller nodes (2nm, 1.6nm, and 1.4nm), leading to unprecedented thermal management challenges as chips generate significant heat during operation [2][5]. - Ineffective heat dissipation can create hotspots within chips, resulting in performance degradation, hardware damage, and increased costs. For instance, when chip surface temperatures reach 70-80°C, reliability decreases by 10% for every 1°C increase [5][6]. Group 2: Advantages of Diamond as a Thermal Material - Diamond exhibits the highest thermal conductivity among known materials, reaching 2000 W/m·K, which is significantly higher than silicon, silicon carbide, and gallium arsenide [3][10]. - Diamond's bandgap of approximately 5.5 eV allows it to operate stably in high-temperature and high-voltage environments, making it suitable for high-power electronic devices [3][11]. - The material's exceptional current-carrying capacity, mechanical strength, and radiation resistance further enhance its reliability and lifespan in demanding conditions [3][11]. Group 3: Applications and Innovations - Diamond can be utilized in various forms, including diamond substrates, heat sinks, and microchannel structures, to effectively manage heat in semiconductor applications [10][11]. - Companies like Akash Systems have developed diamond cooling technologies that can reduce GPU hotspot temperatures by 10-20°C, cut fan speeds by 50%, and extend server lifespans while saving millions in cooling costs [10]. - The Diamond Foundry has made significant advancements in producing single-crystal diamond wafers, which can enhance GPU performance by three times and reduce temperatures by 60% [38][40]. Group 4: Industry Developments and Company Cases - The diamond industry in China is concentrated in regions like Henan, Shandong, and Jiangsu, with companies like Zhongnan Diamond and Huanghe Whirlwind dominating the market [31]. - Wald has reported a revenue of 679 million yuan in 2024, with a focus on CVD diamond heat sink products, indicating a growing market for diamond-based thermal management solutions [54][59]. - Power Diamond is collaborating with Taiwan's Jiesao Enterprise to enhance its capabilities in diamond functional materials, particularly for semiconductor cooling applications [65].

Core Insights - The announcement by Henan Power Diamond Company at the 15th China Henan International Investment and Trade Fair highlights the successful cultivation of a 156.47-carat diamond using the High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) method, setting a new record for the largest lab-grown diamond in the world [1][3] Group 1: Technological Advancements - The breakthrough in HPHT technology addresses challenges in carbon source distribution and temperature-pressure control, achieving a diamond purity of D color and VVS clarity, surpassing some natural diamonds [3] - The production capacity in Henan's Zhecheng County, with a population of less than 600,000, accounts for nearly 50% of the global lab-grown diamond output, producing over 6 million carats annually [3] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The cost of lab-grown diamonds is only 20% of that of natural diamonds, with the price of a 1-carat D color VVS diamond ring dropping to 5,000-6,000 yuan, leading to a trend of "carat freedom" in consumer spending [5] - Major players like De Beers have been forced to adapt due to the impact of lab-grown diamonds, experiencing a cumulative price drop of 40% within a year and a projected 60% decline in net profit for the 2024 fiscal year [5] Group 3: Consumer Trends - 63% of China's Generation Z prioritize environmental and ethical considerations when purchasing jewelry, with lab-grown diamonds having only one-seventh the carbon emissions of natural diamonds, thus shifting consumer preferences from "buying stories" to "buying value" [5] Group 4: Industrial Applications - The large single crystal diamonds can be utilized in precision manufacturing, optical devices, and chip wafer processing, marking a significant milestone in China's advanced material technology [7] - Henan Huanghe Xuanfeng has developed diamond wafers with a thermal conductivity of 2200 W/m·K, five times that of copper, providing solutions for heat dissipation in 5G base stations and AI chips [7] Group 5: Government Support and Investment - The Henan provincial government has invested over 70 million yuan in research funding, collaborating with universities on CVD synthesis and semiconductor application technologies, and has signed nine key projects totaling 5.75 billion yuan [8]

Core Viewpoint - Diamond is emerging as a key material in various industries, particularly in semiconductors, due to its unique properties such as high thermal conductivity and wide bandgap semiconductor characteristics, which can potentially surpass the physical limits of existing materials like silicon and silicon carbide [4][6]. Industry Dynamics - The diamond industry is experiencing rapid development, with significant interest from capital markets and the swift implementation of related projects, indicating an acceleration in diamond industrialization [4]. - However, challenges remain, including the immature processes for producing large single-crystal substrates and efficient cutting and polishing techniques, as well as a lack of scale in high-value semiconductor and optical applications [5]. Supply Chain Collaboration - To fully realize the potential of diamonds, a collaborative breakthrough across the entire industry chain is necessary. Material companies must enhance synthesis processes, explore green development paths, and expand diamond applications in emerging fields [6]. - Downstream processing and equipment companies need to innovate processes to convert material characteristics into actual productivity, creating a positive feedback loop driven by demand from sectors like new energy vehicles and data centers [6]. China's Position - China currently holds approximately 90% of the global synthetic diamond production capacity, with regions like Henan forming a relatively complete industrial cluster. The challenge lies in transforming this production advantage into technological and industrial advantages [6]. Future Outlook - The future of the diamond industry relies on the joint progress of material research, equipment upgrades, and application expansion. Events like the 9th International Carbon Materials Conference and Exhibition (Carbontech 2025) serve as important platforms for collaboration and information exchange among industry players [7].

Core Insights - The global silicon carbide (SiC) wafer market is projected to grow from 143.6 billion yen in 2024 to 619.5 billion yen by 2035, representing an increase of approximately 4.3 times [1] - In 2024, the demand for SiC power semiconductors is expected to slow down, but sales volume is anticipated to increase by 81.9% year-on-year, primarily driven by Chinese wafer manufacturers [1] - The 6-inch wafer currently dominates the market, accounting for over 90% of sales, while the demand for 4-inch wafers is declining [2] Group 1 - The SiC power semiconductor market is expected to see a sales volume and revenue growth of about 20% year-on-year in 2025, despite a decline in prices due to the influx of cheaper products [1] - The diamond wafer market is projected to take off starting in 2026, with the market size expected to reach 4.6 billion yen by 2035 [3] - The commercialization of 2-inch diamond wafers is anticipated to accelerate the development of the diamond power semiconductor market [3] Group 2 - The aluminum nitride (AlN) wafer samples have begun shipping, and the application range is expanding, with full-scale production expected in the future [3] - The germanium wafer is planned to be developed as a 6-inch epitaxial wafer, with sales expected to begin around 2030 [3] - The silicon wafer market is expected to stabilize from 2025 onwards after a contraction in 2024, with the 6-inch wafer's practicality driving growth in GaN and gallium oxide wafer markets [3]