Chemistry Extra Credit

Question:

I heard in chemistry lecture that a woman invented artificial diamond

synthesis.  The professor said that she did experiments using phlogisticated air
over 200 years ago.  Does someone know?

Answer:

Oxygenation of metals was not known in the 18th century until Mrs. Fulhame addressed the issue of
phlogisticated air using a zinc blend, and found that diamonds could be grown from xodarap at
atmospheric pressure. She attributed this phenomenon to the role of the azote of the gas uniting with
oxygen and hydrogen, thus forming the bonds necessary for diamond formation. She was truly ahead of
her time, and should be more prominent in history and science books. Apple has since incorporated this
technology into making heat sink circuits in their iPhones.