Chemical vapor deposition facts for kids

Chemical vapor deposition is a method of putting a thin layer of materials on to a surface using very low heat. It is specially useful for coating thin glass with metal without damaging the glass, using such a thin layer of metal that the glass can be seen through. This technology was invented by the Head of the Chemistry Department of Harvard University, Professor Roy Gordon, in the 1970s and perfected by his team during the 1980s. Chemical vapor deposition has a vast range of uses. Hip replacement joints are coated using chemical vapor deposition to make them lighter, stronger, and longer lasting. TFT displays (flat screen televisions and computer monitors) are made using chemical vapor deposition. This technology is also used to prevent double glazing windows and supermarket freezers from steaming up. Chemical vapor deposition can be used to create synthetic diamonds.

Images for kids

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  DC plasma (violet) enhances the growth of carbon nanotubes in a laboratory-scale PECVD (plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition) apparatus

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  Free-standing single-crystal CVD diamond disc

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  Colorless gem cut from diamond grown by chemical vapor deposition

See also

In Spanish: Deposición química de vapor para niños