Question

A mixture of methanol and ethanol in a 4:1 volume ratio has good physical properties for use in these devices. William Bassett invented a “hydrothermal” type of these devices for use with fluids. Conditions in these devices are usually analyzed either with X-ray diffraction on a material whose equation of state is known, or by measuring shifts in the fluorescence lines of ruby. A now-retracted 2020 Nature paper claimed to use these devices to achieve room-temperature superconductivity (-5[1])in a carbonaceous sulfur hydride. (15[1])In these devices, a tungsten or rhenium (*) gasket encloses the sample, which must be smaller than a few hundred microns, since these devices create a very small area to transmit a large force. (10[1])For 10 (-5[1])points, what devices (-5[2])generate millions of atmospheres of pressure by squeezing a sample between two minerals with Mohs hardness 10? ■END■ (0[3])

ANSWER: diamond anvil cells [accept DAC, prompt on diamond anvils by asking “What's the full name of the device that uses those?”] (I have had to edit the clue about the Dias Nature paper multiple times due to updates in the saga, which appears to be at the “attempting to defraud investors” phase: https://www.science.org/content/article/something-seriously-wrong-room-temperature-superconductivity-study-retracted)
<BB>
= Average correct buzz position

Back to tossups

Buzzes

PlayerTeamOpponentBuzz PositionValue
Patrick QuionPurdueOSU76-5
Vivek SasseChicago B+Michigan8115
Andrew SalijNorthwesternIllinois A+11410
Taylor HarveyMojo ShojoChicago116-5
Eric MukherjeeAmartya Senpai Notice MeMaryland B-119-5
Ashvin SrivatsaEpic GamesWUSTL119-5
Jerry VinokurovMaryland B-Amartya Senpai Notice Me1370
Chris RayOSUPurdue1370
Amith PunyalaWUSTLEpic Games1370

Summary

2023 BHSU @ Northwestern02/25/2023Y633%17%67%97.50