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\n By\u00a0
\n Emma Malcolm<\/a>
\n ,\u00a0
\n Ali Green
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\n 24 June 2026
\n 5 min read \n<\/p>\n
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Key points
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\n Researchers are transforming cheap industrial-grade diamonds into advanced sensing materials.
\n Quantum diamonds can detect signals at the scale of individual molecules.
\n This collaboration with Japan\u2019s National Institute for Quantum Science and Technology (QST) supports Australia\u2019s sovereign capability in quantum technologies.
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Diamonds have long been coveted for their beauty. Their dazzling colour and clarity make them perfect candidates for luxury jewellery. However, it’s their other unique characteristics, including their hardness, thermal conductivity and chemical resistance, which make diamonds suitable for various applications in industry and advanced technologies.<\/p>\n
At the quantum scale, carefully engineered diamonds can behave like tiny sensors \u2013 able to \u2018feel\u2019 magnetic signals from nearby molecules. In simple terms, they can pick up incredibly faint signals that would otherwise be invisible to conventional instruments. This capability could help us detect contaminants in water, identify disease biomarkers, and monitor chemical processes in real time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\n ![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DSCF2384.jpg\")
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\n The project strengthens one of Australia\u2019s most important international science partnerships, bringing together complementary expertise in quantum materials, advanced manufacturing and characterisation to accelerate the development of next-generation sensing technologies.
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A CSIRO team, together with partners from the University of Melbourne and Japan\u2019s National Institute for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), is developing advanced manufacturing methods that take diamond \u2018dust\u2019 \u2013 tiny particles sourced from cheap industrial processes \u2013 and transform it into precision nanodiamonds suitable for quantum technologies.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The team\u2019s goal is to develop a scalable, lower-cost pathway to quantum-grade diamond materials that can be produced locally. This will advance Australia\u2019s critical quantum technologies, strengthen regional innovation capability, and reduce our reliance on unpredictable global supply chains.<\/p>\n
What makes a diamond ‘quantum’?<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s get technical for a moment.<\/p>\n
A diamond\u2019s structure is formed by a lattice of carbon atoms. In this crystalline structure each carbon atom is bonded to four others in a tetrahedral arrangement, forming a rigid 3D network. Quantum-grade diamonds contain specific atomic-scale \u2018defects\u2019 in this lattice, that allow for the creation of quantum systems. And because they are one of the strongest structures in nature, diamonds are able to host quantum systems at room temperature, without needing to be cooled down to cryogenic temperatures (-273 degrees C) like in other materials.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\n Quantum diamond explainer
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