Diamonds become elastic, show softness when made ultrasmall: Study

A new study found that diamonds, known for being hard and brittle, can become elastic and show softness when reduced to nanoscale (one billionth of a metre). When made ultrasmall, the bonding in the region between their surface and core becomes relatively weak, the study found. This stretchy, mid-level layer of nanodiamonds allows them to bend, not break, under pressure.