The world’s largest research centre for man-made diamonds was opened in Harwell by Science Minister David Willetts yesterday. Synthetic diamond company Element Six unveiled its new �20m research base at science park Harwell Oxford, near Didcot.

The company creates man-made diamonds to use in cutting tools and other equipment. These tools are then used to make various products including aeroplane wings, cars and even speaker systems.

Mr Willetts was given a tour of the new centre where the diamonds are made – or “grown” – in the press hall, studied in the analysis laboratories and trialed in the test labs.

Director of innovation at Element Six, Steve Coe, said: “The research will be applied to technologies that are not even invented yet. “This centre will unlock this innovative edge. It is the reason the future is exciting and bright for our company. “We look forward to unlocking diamonds’ full potential.” Of the 110 scientists who now work there, 60 jobs were new at the 5,000m sq m centre.

Material analyst Dave Aldous started his new job yesterday. He said: “It is a fantastic opportunity. It is the first time this group has all been on the same site under one roof. It is a privilege to use some of this equipment.”

The research is all done in Harwell before the diamonds are manufactured at facilities all over the world including South Africa, China and Silicon Valley.

MD of Goodman UK Jim Johnston – who manages the 27 business parks and two science parks in the UK – said: “They had the option of taking this facility to the rest of the world but they chose the UK and they chose Oxford.”

Natural diamonds are formed when carbon is crushed at high pressure and heated under the earth’s crust – a process that can take millions of years.

The press machines at the Harwell centre can make diamonds in 20 minutes by crushing and heating graphite and iron powder at extremely high pressures and temperatures. The pressure is equivalent to 5,000 cars stacked on a can of beans.

Mr Willetts said: “As the science minister I often find myself talking about cutting edge technology, and today I have literally seen cutting edge technology.

"It is extraordinary to see how we can now make diamond by replicating the natural process. This is a world class research and development facility and it is now going to be here in Oxford.”

Growing gems

NATURAL diamonds are physically exactly the same as man-made diamonds. They have the same molecular structure but a different atomic structure. Natural diamonds are mined but man-made or synthetic diamonds are “grown” in a lab.

The mined diamonds are created under the earth’s crust. Pure carbon is crushed and heated by high pressure and temperature in a process that can take millions of years.

Man-made diamonds are grown by mixed graphite and iron powder being crushed and heated to extremely high temperatures and pressures in a press machine.

The press machines at the Harwell centre can make diamonds in just 20 minutes. But they can take up to one week to grow to the right size, depending on the product they are destined for.