> > If people refer to monocrystalline GaAs or Si arrays, that's their
> > problem. (One can also make diamond wafer PVs. Of course one could
> > also drive an ICU with diamond dust).
>
> Wouldn't the engine wear be truly incredible?
Not necessarily. Monodisperse, spheroidal-particle diamond dust has been
suggested as an additive to ICE lubricants (for the same reason as
buckyballs). Concerning diamond-fueled ICEs: diamond dust as a solid
rocket fuel additive has been discussed by the Russkies. Don't know
whether anything ever came out of it.
ciao,
'gene