Abstract: One provides nanocrystalline diamond material that comprises a plurality of substantially ordered diamond crystallites that are sized no larger than about 10 nanometers. One then disposes a non-diamond component within the nanocrystalline diamond material. By one approach this non-diamond component comprises an electrical conductor that is formed at the grain boundaries that separate the diamond crystallites from one another. The resultant nanowire is then able to exhibit a desired increase with respect to its ability to conduct electricity while also preserving the thermal conductivity behavior of the nanocrystalline diamond material.

Abstract: Carbon-containing sp3-bonded solid refractory nanocrystalline particles that are each sized no larger than about 100 nanometers have a metal of choice disposed thereabout. A variable potential junction is formed between the metallic coatings and the particles that enables carrier entropy to be efficiently transported from the variable potential junction to the coating.