MolecularDiamond Technologies

Nanotechnology is a rapidly evolving field focused on characterizing materials and creating structures, devices and systems that have superior properties derived from building at the molecular scale. Nanotechnology is recognized as a key technology area that is being funded at a rate of greater than $2 billion by U.S. and international governments with additional significant efforts from industry.

Chevron Energy Technology Co. scientists made a groundbreaking discovery by isolating from petroleum a new class of nanomaterials called higher diamondoids. Chevron’s discovery of higher diamondoids was first reported in Science magazine (January 3, 2003) and was named one of the Top Ten Highlights in Material Science in 2002 by C&E News. Reflecting the commercial potential of this promising new technology, Chevron Technology Ventures formed a new business unit, MolecularDiamond Technologies (MDT). MolecularDiamond Technologies activities include:

• Collaborate with technology development partners from a wide range of industries as well as high-quality R&D organizations and universities to commercialize diamondoids
• Through R&D collaborations, focus on determining the intrinsic properties of diamondoids, performance characteristics of diamondoid-containing materials, and exploratory “proof of concept” applications that will be enabled by diamondoids
• Scale-up production of diamondoids

Since the discovery of higher diamondoids, MDT has also developed processes to isolate lower diamondoids in large quantities from petroleum. Diamondoids are diamond molecules which have untapped potential to affect multiple industries such as energy, electronics, biopharmaceuticals, aerospace, plastics, and even consumer goods.

Unlike other carbon-based nanomaterials, such as fullerenes or carbon nanotubes, diamondoids have the same internal carbon framework as diamond. Diamondoids exist in a myriad of shapes (e.g., rods, discs, screws) and sizes including unusual and resolvable chiral (right- and left-handed) forms. Higher diamondoids (having 4 or more carbon cages) and lower diamondoids (having 3 or less cages) are readily derivatized and polymerizable, thus allowing their properties to be engineered at the molecular level for desired applications.

MDT anticipates that diamondoids will combine the exceptional characteristics of bulk diamonds with the versatility of carbon-based molecular chemistry. MDT is focused on demonstrating technical and commercial successes for diamondoid applications in a variety of areas. Potential applications actively being pursued include:

• Anti-Wear Coatings: Diamondoids have been used to create very hard coatings. The initial target application is wear-resistant coatings for the upstream oil and gas market.
• Bio/Pharma: Existing FDA-approved drugs have similar structures to diamondoids, which can be chirally active. Currently, the target area is in Central Nervous System (CNS) diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimers, but may include stroke, pain, other CNS indications or additional classes of diseases (e.g., anti-virals).
• Electronic Materials: Thermal and electronic properties of diamondoids could enable applications in the electronics industry.

Learn more about MolecularDiamond Technologies.