💎 Bending diamond sheets generates electricity
Scientists discovered a hidden piezoelectric effect in ultrathin, ultraflexible polycrystalline diamond membranes. This finding was made by researchers studying the material's response in Science Advances. The strongest electric response was seen in membranes about 5 micrometres thick, with a coefficient reaching 82.2 mV/N/m. Grain boundaries introduce local asymmetries responsible for this effect when the membrane is deformed. These flexible sheets could boost energy harvesting and wearable electronics development.