Researchers from Saint Andrews University, Scotland, have discovered that millions of diamond nanoparticles are created in a candle flame every second in burns.

Lead researcher Professor of Chemistry Wuzong Zhou says that there is additional evidence of diamond nanoparticles in natural gas and wood flames, and if a technique could be found to extract the particles, it could used to manufacture diamonds at a lower price. To remove particle matter from the flame, Zhou employed a sampling technique which resulted in the discovery that the sample contained all four known forms of pure carbon, including diamonds and graphite (pencil lead). Previous research has shown that hydro-carbon molecules at the bottom of a flame are converted into carbon dioxide at the top of the flame.

“This was a surprise because each form is usually created under different conditions,” said Zhou.

The diamonds disappear almost instantly after they are created, however. The diamonds are also so small that approximately 300,000 of them fit on the head of a pin.

"Unfortunately the diamond particles are burned away in the process, and converted into carbon dioxide, but this will change the way we view a candle flame forever," said Zhou.

The technology to create an alternative source of diamonds or successful harness diamonds from a flame would prove a significantly more environmental, cost effective, and ethically sound alternative to current diamond mining practices
"My research shows that it is possible to see diamonds in flame, but this also gives us a chance to think about whether diamonds can be formed in a different way," he added.

The discovery was prompted by Zhou’s curiosity about the inner workings of a candle flame.

“A colleague from another university said to me, ‘Of course, no one knows what a candle flame is actually made of’…..I told him I believed science could explain everything eventually, so I decided to find out,” said Zhou.
Zhou invented a device that allowed him to extract particles from the center of a flame, where temperatures can exceed 1400 degrees Celsius (2552 degrees Fahrenheit).

In addition to his candle flame experiments, Zhou plans on studying barbecue flames, particularly to determine if diamond particles come in contact with meat that is cooked on the flames.

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