Abstract: A rigid three-dimensional component such as a speaker dome is formed of diamond, preferably fabricated to net shape by CVD diamond synthesis, and includes a coating on one or more major surfaces thereof. The coating is designed to enhance the performance and/or to alter the appearance of the component. In particular, the coating is designed to act as a damping medium and/or provide aesthetic qualities to the component.

Abstract: A single crystal diamond element having a convex surface is disclosed, the convex surface including a spherical segment for which the maximum peak to valley deviation from a perfect spherical surface is less than about 5 ?m. Alternatively or in addition, the RMS deviation from a perfect spherical surface may be less than about 500 nm, or the RMS roughness less than about 30 nm. A single crystal diamond element with a radius of curvature less than about 20 mm is also disclosed. In one aspect a single crystal diamond element having a conical half-angle greater than about 10° is described. The invention also provides a method for forming a rotationally symmetrical surface on a single crystal diamond element, comprising rotating the element about a first axis, applying a laser beam to the element in a direction perpendicular to the first axis, and translating the laser beam in two dimensions in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid diamond electrode, a reactor, in particular a reactor comprising an anode, a cathode and at least one bipolar electrode having first and second major working surfaces positioned therebetween wherein the at least one bipolar electrode consists essentially of diamond, and methods in which the reactors are used.

Abstract: A microelectrode comprising a diamond layer formed from electrically non-conducting diamond and containing one or more pins or projections of electrically conducting diamond extending at least partially through the layer of non-conducting diamond and presenting areas of electrically conducting diamond.

Abstract: Bearings for downhole tools including a first bearing member and a second bearing member, at least one of the first and second bearing members having a channel formed therein. Methods of cooling bearings of downhole tools comprise flowing a fluid within a channel formed in at least one bearing member. Heat is transferred from at least the at least one bearing member to the fluid. The fluid is flowed away from the at least one bearing member.

Abstract: A high voltage diamond based switching device capable of sustaining high currents in the on state with a relatively low impedance and a relatively low optical switching flux, and capable of being switched off in the presence of the high voltage being switched. The device includes a diamond body having a Schottky barrier contact, held in reverse bias by the applied voltage to be switched, to an essentially intrinsic diamond layer or portion in the diamond body, a second metal contact, and an optical source or other illuminating or irradiating device such that when the depletion region formed by the Schottky contact to the intrinsic diamond layer is exposed to its radiation charge carriers are generated. Cain in the total number of charge carriers then occurs as a result of these charge carriers accelerating under the field within the intrinsic diamond layer and generating further carriers by assisted avalanche breakdown.

Abstract: A method of producing a high-density abrasive compact material includes the steps of providing an electrically conductive mixture of a bonding powder material and abrasive particles or grit; compressing the electrically conductive mixture; and subjecting the compressed electrically conductive mixture to one or more high current pulses to form the abrasive compact is provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a diamond composite, includes: a) mixing diamonds with additives, the mixture comprising at least 50 wt % and less than 95 wt % of diamonds and more than 5 wt % additives; b) forming a work piece from the mixture using a pressure of at least 100 Mpa; c) heating the formed work piece to at least 300° C. for removing possible water and wholly or partially removing additives; d) heating the work piece and controlling the heating temperature and heating time so that a certain desired amount of graphite is created by graphitization of diamonds, wherein the amount of graphite created by graphitization is 3-50 wt % of the amount of diamond; e) infiltrating silicon or silicon alloy into the work piece.

Abstract: Cutting elements comprise a substrate and an unleached polycrystalline table attached on an end of the substrate. The polycrystalline table comprises a plurality of continuously inter-bonded grains of a superhard material and a quantity of catalyst material disposed in interstitial spaces between grains of the plurality of continuously inter-bonded grains of a superhard material. A mean grain size of the plurality of continuously inter-bonded grains is at least substantially uniform throughout the polycrystalline table and the quantity of catalyst material varies across the polycrystalline table in a direction parallel to a central axis of the polycrystalline table.

Abstract: A cutting element comprising a substrate having an upper surface, a rear surface spaced apart from the upper surface, and a side surface connected to the rear surface and upper surface. The cutting element further includes a superabrasive layer comprising a rear surface, an upper surface, and a side surface connected to and extending between the rear surface and upper surface, wherein the rear surface of the superabrasive layer overlies the upper surface of the substrate. The cutting element is also formed to include a jacket overlying the side surface of the substrate and abutting a portion of the rear surface of the superabrasive layer, wherein the jacket comprises a flange extending along a portion of the side surface of the superabrasive layer.

Abstract: A diamond layer of single crystal CVD diamond which is coloured, preferably which has a fancy colour, and which has a thickness of greater than 1 mm.

Abstract: A tiled array of diamond plates, which is suitable for wafer scale processing, for example, in the manufacture of electronic or other device structures on the diamond plates. The diamond plates are fixed to a support layer, preferably a polycrystalline diamond support layer, in a substantially planar arrangement such that at least one of the major surfaces of the respective fixed diamond plates defines a fabrication surface that is exposed for further processing. The support layer may be a backing layer, in which case only one of the major faces of the diamond substrate is exposed for further processing, or may extend between respective diamond substrates such that both major surfaces are exposed for further processing.

Abstract: A body of single crystal CVD (chemical vapour deposition) diamond particularly suitable as a wear resistant material for wear applications, such as wire drawing dies, graphical tools or stichels, or fluid jet nozzles. The diamond typically has a low wear rate, exhibits a low birefringence indicative of low strain and possesses an ability to be processed to show a high surface polish.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gas permeable electrode comprising an electrocatalyst which is permeable to a reactant or reaction product, the electrocatalyst comprising particulate boron-doped diamond. There is also disclosed a method of making an electrocatalyst which is permeable to a reactant or reaction product, the method comprising the step of forming an electrocatalyst comprising particulate boron-doped diamond.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical apparatus for processing a fluid comprising: an electrode; a solid electrolyte; and means for providing forced flow through the apparatus of a fluid to be processed, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that when the fluid to be processed is introduced into the apparatus there exists at least one three phase interface between the electrode, the solid electrolyte and the fluid to be processed and such that the fluid forming part of the three phase interface undergoes forced flow through the apparatus, and methods in which the electrochemical apparatus is used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diamond material comprising a boron doped single crystal diamond substrate layer having a first surface and a boron doped single crystal diamond conductive layer on said first surface, wherein the distribution of boron in the conductive layer is more uniform than the distribution of boron in the substrate layer.

Abstract: An electrode comprising an electrically conducting diamond plate wherein the diamond plate comprises at least one elongate aperture and having an aperture edge length per unit working area of the diamond plate of greater than about 4 mm/mm2, electrolysis cells comprising such electrodes, methods of treating water using such electrolysis cells and a method of production of ozone are disclosed.