DR. ZALMAN M. SHAPIRO, 89, GRANTED PATENT FOR INNOVATIVE METHOD
OF SYNTHESIZING DIAMONDS
/EIN News/ Pittsburgh, PA – July 1st, 2009 – Fiancés have a new reason to celebrate. Large diamonds are poised to become more affordable with the issuance of a new patent granted to Dr. Zalman M. Shapiro for creating gem-quality stones. At age 89, he is one of the oldest, living inventors currently active in the United States.
Dr. Shapiro was personally presented with his new patent by John J. Doll, Acting United States Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property at the USPTO Headquarters, Madison Building, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, on June 16th at 1:30 pm.
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 either mimic the high temperatures and pressures deep in the earth’s crust or alternatively spray a substrate with high temperature carbon plasma.
Dr. Shapiro’s method requires less initial capital investment and ongoing operational expense than either mined diamonds or prior man-made stones. Economically producing gem quality diamonds domestically will reduce the US trade deficit stemming from the annual $40 billion of cut and uncut gem diamonds the United States imports. Likewise, domestically supplied diamonds will eliminate the conflict and cruelty that taint mined diamonds.
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 these unique properties. Better solar cells, microprocessors, lasers, LEDs, and mobile communication devices are all possible.
Dr. Shapiro, who was recently nominated for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, demonstrates that 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 driven by education, hard work, ingenuity, and perseverance.
For further information, contact Deborah Shapiro at (412) 683-2609 or at desny@aol.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Joshua Shapiro
+1 238 3184
joshua@pipeline.com
Deborah Shapiro
(412) 683-2609
desny@aol.com
/EIN News/
