A new project has been awarded the Dean for Research Innovation Fund for New Industrial Collaborations:

Diamond identification using tomographic ultrasound

Jeroen Tromp, the Blair Professor of Geology, will explore the use of ultrasonic imaging techniques to detect the presence of tiny diamonds in igneous rock. Tromp and his team will collaborate with scientists at De Beers to apply the technique, called ultrasonic full waveform inversion imaging, to the noninvasive detection of diamonds in rock samples. If successful, the approach would offer benefits in terms of sustainability as well as shortening the timeline to detection of new gems. By optimizing the technique to find diamonds in rock samples, the Princeton team will be able to work out key challenges and advance the development of the technology for other applications, including medical imaging.