Buckyballs and Buckminsterfullerene
In 1985, Sean O’Brien, a graduate student of Harry Kroto at Rice University, Houston, Texas, first discovered carbon structures called buckminsterfullerene. This was a very exciting discovery, and it soon became known as Buckyballs. In honor of the structure’s resemblance to the geodesic domes of the famous American architect and inventor, Buckminster Fuller, they were named after him.
Buckminsterfullerene, or Buckyballs, is a form of carbon. It is a molecule of carbon atoms in the shape of a hollow sphere. It is also called a “nanosphere” because it has a diameter of approximately one nanometer, which is one-billionth of a meter. Buckyballs are one type of fullerene and can be made of 60 or more carbon atoms joined together in a molecular cage. When placed in a solution, the molecules form a lattice structure that is incredibly strong, lightweight and extremely flexible.
Buckyballs have a variety of uses. One of the primary uses of buckminsterfullerene is as a lubricant. Buckyballs can be synthesized into lubricants, but when combined with other compounds like silanes, these molecules become more effective than any traditional lubricant. Other uses of Buckyballs include their use in medicine as a carrier for drugs, in electronics as a conductor of electricity, and on a larger scale for construction projects and vehicle parts.
Buckyballs are also being used in research. Scientists are exploring their unique shape and structure, in the hope of developing new materials and applications. Buckyballs, along with their larger cousins, the carbon nanotubes, have been found to have remarkable strength and optical properties. Researchers have also studied their potential to conduct electricity, create thin films and store hydrogen.
As research into buckminsterfullerene continues, scientists are exploring new ways to make this unique carbon structure. They are looking into the use of laser technology, computer simulations and chemical synthesis to form the Buckyball lattice structure. It is possible that, in the near future, Buckyballs may prove to be the key to many technological advances.
The discovery of buckminsterfullerene has revolutionized the field of carbon science. Scientists are now looking for ways to improve on the structure and design of the molecule so that it can be used for even more applications. As research progresses, the possibilities for the use of buckminsterfullerene are virtually unlimited.
