New boron minerals named after Chinese scientists are as strong as diamonds
Recently, the International Mineralogy Association officially recognized a groundbreaking discovery: a new mineral called cubic boron nitride, known as Qingsongite. This unique mineral was first identified in nature by an international team of geologists from the U.S., China, and Germany in 2009. It's the first naturally occurring form of this material, which had previously only been created in laboratories. The journey to this discovery began in 1957 when American researchers first synthesized cubic boron nitride under extreme high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. However, finding it in nature remained a challenge until 2009. Scientists from the University of California, Riverside, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, along with Chinese and German research teams, made the breakthrough while studying ancient oceanic crust deep beneath the southern Tibetan Plateau. They found the mineral within chrome-rich rocks, formed under intense pressure—around 1300 degrees Celsius and 118,430 atmospheres. To honor the contributions of Chinese geologist Fang Qingsong, who worked at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, the team named the mineral "Qingsongite." Fang Qingsong is renowned for his work in Tibet, where he discovered diamonds in chromium-rich rocks during the 1970s. He also played a key role in identifying four other new minerals. "Qingsongite is truly unique because it's the first boron mineral found to form under extreme conditions deep within the Earth," said Dr. Larissa Dubsenskaya, a geologist from the University of California, Riverside, who was part of the research team. She added, "All other known boron minerals have been found on the Earth's surface." Cubic boron nitride is a highly valuable material due to its structural similarity to diamond. It possesses remarkable hardness and density, making it ideal for use in cutting tools, abrasives, and industrial applications. Its properties make it one of the hardest materials available, second only to diamond. The International Mineralogy Association receives over 100 new mineral name proposals each year. To date, more than 4,700 minerals have been officially recognized. The discovery of Qingsongite not only expands our understanding of Earth’s deep geological processes but also highlights the importance of international collaboration in scientific exploration. Color Track Light,Hue Track Lighting,Track Light White,Rgb Track Lighting FOSHAN CITY KURUI LIGHTING CO.,LTD , https://www.kuruilighting.com