[kloch]

I just had an idea that may be my worst technology idea ever.

Assemble some unstable atoms (that decay into carbon) into the desired cubic structure. When they decay you have a diamond.

The problem with this is that if it can decay fast enough (even with outside neutrons) it will be too hot (pun intended), and if it decays slowly enough it will take too long. Depending on the source isotopes and process it could also result in a radioactive diamond! Also, the heat of the process would have to not change the crystal structure.

However, some day when we master quarks and the weak interaction we might be able to do this quickly and safely.

[fch42]

Hmm; so the only thing that can "easily" decay into the stable forms of carbon - C12 and C13 that is - is N13 (β+ to C13 with "minutes" half-life). Nothing decays into C12, since N12 or O12 would have half-lifes so short as to make them "doubtful" isotopes.

But Nitrogen wouldn't crystallise in a diamond lattice; nevermind the crystal absorbing "heat" from the radioactive decay disturbing positions temporarily, there's just no way to arrange Nitrogen and Carbon atoms into similar locations of a crystal lattice. This sort of "transmutation" isn't even science fiction, it's only a dream

(follow your dreams but think a few times before trying to make money off them)

[Ellipsis753]

Why would this be easier than just making a diamond?

[dylan604]

what part of "I just had an idea that may be my worst technology idea ever." did not make sense to you?

[ars]

Leaving aside the decay part of things, carbon makes a crystal structure of a diamond, other materials don't. So they would refuse to assemble into the right shape.