Finances have a new reason to celebrate. Large diamonds are poised to become more affordable with the issue of a new patent granted to Dr.
Dr. Shapiro will be personally presented with his new patent by
Dr. Shapiro's invention harnesses a novel "float" method to mass-produce sizeable, gem-quality diamonds quickly and at relatively low temperature and pressure. His approach is faster, less expensive, and more energy efficient than existing methods which mimic the high temperature and pressure found deep in the earth's crust or alternatively spray high temperature carbon plasma onto a substrate.
Diamonds are exceptionally hard, dense, stiff, thermally conductive, chemically inert, hydrophobic, refractive, and transparent. By lowering the cost of production of large diamond crystals, Dr. Shapiro's approach permits new, practical, industrial applications of adamantine properties. Better diamond-enabled solar cells, microprocessors, lasers, LEDs, and mobile communication devices are all possibilities. Manufacturing gem diamonds in
Dr. Shapiro, who was recently nominated for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, demonstrates that it is never too late to be a contributing member of our society. Many Americans view the elderly as a drain on society and tend to marginalize the group. The elderly often face a grim future of decline -- decline of health, social network, wealth, relevance, and respect.
This near nonagenarian earning his 15th patent counters common association of old age with diminished productivity, and validates President Obama's belief in American achievement at any stage of life, when appropriately driven by education, hard work, ingenuity, and perseverance.
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