The Learning Center

Nano means "billionth."

It means one-billionth of a meter. It is 1,000 times smaller than one-micron (millionth of a meter).

Unbelievably small. Human hairs range from .04 to 0.1 mm thick. In nanometers, 1/40,0000 to 1/100,000 the thickness of a human hair.

Nanodiamonds are carbon-based particles that are roughly 2 to 6 nanometers in width (before refining) with surfaces reminiscent of a soccer ball.

Nanodiamonds can be created through several methods including detonation synthesis. Detonation nanodiamond synthesis is achieved in one of two ways. One method involves adding graphite to an explosives system and subjecting the graphite (carbon) to the shock wave of an explosive detonation. The other method is to explode a carbon producing explosive (TNT or RDX) inside of a detonation chamber in the absence of oxygen. In both cases, a portion of the carbon is converted into diamond particles and some remains as graphenes, which can be burned off with strong acids. Diamond material created from the detonation of an explosive is referred to as “detonation nanodiamond”.

Adsorption Nanodiamonds have a property known as adsorption (not to be confused with the more familiar word absorption). Adsorption means the nanodiamonds attract and hold other materials on their surface (the way a charcoal filter works). Adding them to skin care products allows active ingredients to work at their peak potential. The nanodiamonds adsorb more of the active ingredient than your skin would absorb on its own, and as the nanodiamonds in turn penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, the active ingredient is carried with it. Surface Area to Weight Ratio Detonation diamonds are so tiny that 1.5 million will fit on the head of a pin. This also means that, altogether, a tiny quantity has a huge surface area. In fact, this area is usually in the range of 350-450 square meters per gram of nanodiamond. For reference, 400 square meters is 4,305 square feet, the size of a larger house. This makes them an ideal medium to transport other things. Active Surface Detonation nanodiamonds have other special features. First, they carry things called functional groups on their surface. Second, they carry an electrical charge which is typically -30 to -70 millilvolts. This combination makes them a powerful agent for change. The effect of the electrical charge is one of the first things a user notices. Because of the way the human nervous system is designed, the voltage on the active surface interferes with pain impulses. In some cases, especially when the problem is near the surface of the skin, pain may cease almost immediately; for severe or deep pain, pain reduction usually occurs gradually. A second effect of the electrical charge is that it amplifies the body’s natural healing process. When an injury occurs, the body uses its natural voltage to signal for cell migration for healing. The active surface of the nanodiamond crystal is much stronger than the body’s natural voltage, so it causes healing in places where it would not otherwise occur (e.g., joints with deposits from rheumatoid arthritis) or it accelerates natural healing (e.g., tendons, osteoarthritis). Strong Bond With Water Nanodiamond molecules form a particularly strong bond with water. When nanodiamond crystals are added to a cream or lotion (cosmetic), in addition to the adsorption property carrying the cream or lotion through the skin for rapid and thorough absorption, it carries water with it, improving skin hydration. Bactericidal Interestingly, nanodiamond crystals have properties that kill bacteria. In fact, it is now used by some manufacturers of gutta percha, the packing used when a dentist performs a root canal, to help prevent infection. This property also comes into play when nanodiamond crystals are used in burn or wound treatments. The bactericidal effect stems from oxygen containing functional groups on the surface of the crystal. These functional groups were identified by material scientists from the Advanced Ceramics Group.