This breakthrough sets the stage for estimating the possible conditions for the production of the super-rigid materials. The results of the study were published in the journal Carbon .

Fullerite is a molecular crystal, where fullerene molecules are located in the lattice points with the fullerene. The fullerene possesses an outstanding rigidity, that the fullerite is a rather soft material, which nevertheless becomes harder than a diamond.

They believe they are getting closer to unlocking of the secrets of the ultrahard carbon.

They are using ultrahigh pressures in their experiments.

They plan to synthesize new ultra-hard carbon materials.