Synthetic diamond, based on its superior material properties, is a unique, versatile engineering material that covers a wide range of applications from water treatment to high power lasers used in the automotive industry. Most of these major developments have been achieved through plasma deposition techniques, which routinely deposit large planar diamond films that are processed and shaped for use in a range of optical and thermal solutions: optical windows for high power infrared lasers; Optical components such as prisms; lenses for sensing and detection; heat sinks for thermal management of electrical components; and electrochemical electrodes for wastewater treatment.

In the past decade, the ability to customize the growth of large flat diamond wafers has played an important role in driving the development of a range of industries. However, it is less well known that growth techniques have evolved to directly produce non-planar diamonds, such as individual curved films and membranes. The use of plasma deposition technology, combined with the diamond-formed forming matrix, means that revolutionary material preparation capabilities are emerging. Due to cost and technical challenges, traditional planar diamond geometries cannot achieve these capabilities.

Bowers & Wilkins, a leading manufacturer of audio equipment, was one of the first companies to recognize and innovate in the groundbreaking applications of non-planar synthetic diamonds. Element Six worked with Bowers & Wilkins to develop a curved, self-contained diamond diaphragm that is only 40 microns thick. This innovative result, the tweeter, is based on the perfect reproduction of the high-frequency part of the audio spectrum, delivering the world's most beautiful sound.

　　金刚石的低质量和高强度的结合的终极特性，使其可无失真的再现高频音段。一个金刚石扬声器圆顶呈现了完美的活塞式行为，比起常用的高品质扬声器材料(如铝和氧化铍)，可驱动声波的频率范围显著提升。虽然此分解频率超出音频范围，但它是音频范围(<20 kHz)内性能的一个极好特征。这项合作为两家公司赢得了2012年度企业皇后奖。

　　正如Bowers & Wilkins应用所显示的那样，直接沉积成型金刚石的能力为我们带来了令人兴奋的新机遇。这些机遇包括，用于国防应用中高速成像的弯曲光学窗口、医疗植入物(如髋关节)或航空航天中的低摩擦、长寿命元件创新。