Oxfordshire, UK (4th October 2018): Element Six, a world leader in synthetic diamond and other supermaterials and a member of the De Beers Group, is collaborating with the BBC to celebrate the diamond anniversary of the stalwart children’s TV show Blue Peter by making a custom-made synthetic diamond Blue Peter badge to mark the occasion.

The badge will be showcased during today’s broadcast of the show as part of the diamond anniversary celebrations of Blue Peter, which is the longest-running children’s TV programme in the world. The synthetic diamond used to create the badge is used in industrial applications.

The programme will demonstrate how synthetic diamond is produced via high pressure high temperature (HPHT) synthesis, as well as its incredible strength and thermal conductivity. During the programme the presenters will conduct rigorous tests to highlight the unparalleled scientific properties of diamond compared to other materials.

Tim Mollart, Principal Scientist at Element Six, said: “Blue Peter and Element Six both share a passion for science, education and making things. We are delighted to partner with such a renowned TV show to educate audiences and make our own bespoke Blue Peter badge to mark their diamond anniversary.”

With the permission of Blue Peter, the Element Six team copied the classic badge design and cut a new one from a disk of polycrystalline synthetic industrial diamond, which is normally used in high power lasers and to keep electronics cool. The famous Blue Peter ship logo was then etched into the surface using a laser to leave a permanent pattern that, being diamond, will last for millennia.

Dr Daniel Twitchen, Director of CVD at Element Six, said: "The synthetic diamond process was established in the same decade Blue Peter was first broadcast and has since been refined for use across a host of industrial applications. We feel this is a fitting occasion to showcase the developments made in synthetic diamond technology, while also celebrating Blue Peter’s longstanding dedication to scientific education."

The badge provided by Element Six is 6.6 carats, weighing 1.32g, and is 3.1 x 3.2cm in size and 0.5mm thick. It is 100% carbon and is made of polycrystalline chemical vapour deposition (CVD) diamond, which is routinely used in industries as diverse as photonics, semiconductors, sensors, acoustics, electrochemical water treatment, fashion jewellery and quantum computing. The badge is the same size and shape as a normal Blue Peter badge, and the ship pattern was embedded on the surface using laser graphitisation.

The programme will air today, 4th October, at 5.30pm on CBBC and will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer.