Notes by Akshat Jiwan Sharma

  There is ongoing debate about the exact mechanisms that cause diamond formation in the microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) process. While it’s well established that methane (CH4) and hydrogen (H2)are the key gases Hydrogen etches away non-diamond (sp2) carbon, while carbon from CH₄ contributes to diamond (sp3) growth.  Yet the exact carbon-containing species responsible for diamond growth ,whether CH3 radicals, C2 dimers, or other species are the dominant contributors are not known. It's also not clear what surface reactions and growth mechanisms contribute to growth and how these species attach to diamond surfaces and stabilize sp3 bonds. While the general scheme is agreed upon, the precise atomic and plasma-chemical pathways that make diamond grow in MPCVD[2] are still a topic of active research and debate. Here's what I think happens Hydrogenation of carbon structures adds H atoms to carbon.This process promotes sp3 hybridization in formerly sp2 ,sp carbons...

31 Oct 2025 I thank the Nikkei Forum for organising the future of space conference and sparking vibrant discussion on new  opportunities in the space sector.  International cooperation was one of the main goals of the program and I was pleased to learn that Japan was actively cultivating partnerships with the AU and UAE —two nations that have made their space aspirations quite clear and indicated interest to actively participate in the space economy.  Space has been dominated by government and military organisations and Non space companies have played a minor role. It is important to change this but financial and technical challenges are prohibitive.  Some companies like blue origin and virgin galactic have tried to create business cases out of space based tourism but it's too early to conclude whether their models will succeed or fail. As things stand telecom companies remain the only true private sector partner of the space industry.  Human resource developmen...

At the renewable energy India expo today I had the good fortune to connect with industry professionals and researchers across the energy landscape from battery makers and critical mineral providers to solar energy professionals. During my interaction I gained valuable knowledge about intricacies of manufacturing and how even the seemingly simplest of steps like electrical connection of solar cells, through tin coated copper wires, becomes extremely sensitive given the thin wafers and volume of large scale manufacturing.  It is true that the renewable energy industry has come a long way from its very humble beginnings and it now presents a viable alternative to traditional forms of energy. This in itself is a huge achievement, something that would have been considered impossible several decades ago. But some issues remain that prevent RE from becoming dominant.  On the battery level the answer is obvious. Lithium is a scarce resource. New discoveries will be made but current pr...

This post is a response to an article "You are how you act" In which the author prescribed faking virtues until one becomes good. This is an important topic that allows us to see how different philosophers shaped America's moral and political philosophy.  https://boz.com/articles/you-are-how-you-act Rousseau was famous for saying that man is born free and is everywhere in chains. He advocated for self rule and formulation of laws by the people. Yet after hundreds of years of democracy (thousands really) the corrupting influence of social norms has not really been remedied. Inequalities still exist,corruption still happens and social institutions that were once liberating become oppressive over time. His ideal of self governance has not been realised as most nation states have adopted a representative democracy. People don't really make the rules. They just handover the power to someone else who makes them on their behalf. It's certainly right that Franklin believe...

Incorporating hard materials like diamond or carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into steel presents unique challenges, particularly when using traditional melt processing techniques. Diamond, for example, is extremely difficult to integrate into steel via melting due to its thermal instability. However, diamond is routinely embedded in steel surfaces for cutting applications. In the electronics industry, steel wires coated with diamond are used to slice silicon crystals into thin wafers. Two main techniques are commonly employed for embedding diamond in metals: 1. Electroplating: Diamond powder is suspended in a metal ion electrolyte, usually nickel. When an electric current is applied, nickel deposits on the metal wire, trapping the diamond particles in place. 2. Sintering: For more demanding cutting tools, diamond can be embedded on metal surfaces using sintering, which fuses the particles to the substrate at high temperatures without melting the metal. Similar challenges exist when attempting ...

10 OCT 2025 This October the global wildlife fair brought together conservationists and travel enthusiasts together at the constitutional club of India. It was a privilege for me to connect with people from around the world united for a single purpose — conservation of Nature. As one of the most biodiverse countries on earth, Costa Rica took the center stage in promoting the role of ecotourism and spreading awareness about wildlife conservation that often seems to be forgotten during the excitement of travelling to a new destination. The event presented an opportunity for me to understand some of the challenges that destinations like Mongolia, Uganda,Colombia ,Sri Lanka and Kenya face trying to stand out from overcrowded destinations in Asia ,EU and Americas. Lack of direct flights,visa challenges and consumer awareness are key reasons why some nations struggle to attract visitors despite having beautiful landscapes. While establishing direct air links may take significant time and res...