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'''Buckminsterfullerene''', often colloquially known as 'buckyballs', is an [[allotrope]] of [[carbon]]; it is the only molecular form, at C₆₀. It was jointly discovered by Sir Harold Kroto, Richard E. Smalley and Robert F. Curl who received the 1996 [[Nobel Prize]] in [[chemistry]] for their work. It was named after the [[geodesic]] architecture of [[Richard Buckminster Fuller]], which it resembled<ref>[http://www.science.org.au/nova/024/024key.htm Science.org: Buckyballs]</ref>. It is commonly referred to as a "buckyball", in reference to its [[soccer]]-ball-like structure.

'''Buckminsterfullerene''', often colloquially known as 'buckyballs', is an [[allotrope]] of [[carbon]]; it is the only molecular form, at C₆₀. It was jointly discovered by Sir Harold Kroto, Richard E. Smalley and Robert F. Curl who received the 1996 [[Nobel Prize]] in [[chemistry]] for their work. It was named after the [[geodesic]] architecture of [[Richard Buckminster Fuller]], which it resembled<ref>[http://www.science.org.au/nova/024/024key.htm Science.org: Buckyballs]</ref>. It is commonly referred to as a "buckyball", in reference to its [[soccer]]-ball-like structure.

Buckminsterfullerenes can fit other atoms into their hollow structure, which can have important applications. For example, introducing a [[lead]] or [[iron]] atom to the center will make the substance [[paramagnetic]]. A [[sugar]] in the center makes the fullerene soluble in water. A cluster of [[sulfur]] atoms makes it explosive. Also toxic molecules can be trapped there for safe introduction into the human body. By changing the ionisation potentials of the buckyballs, these trapped molecules can be released more easily. The two principal centers for producing these compounds are Umeå in [[Sweden]] and Bachelburg in [[Germany]].

Other atoms can fit inside the hollow structure of Buckminsterfullerenes, leading to important applications. For example, introducing a [[lead]] or [[iron]] atom to the center will make the substance [[paramagnetic]]. A [[sugar]] in the center makes the fullerene soluble in water. A cluster of [[sulfur]] atoms makes it explosive. Also toxic molecules can be trapped there for safe introduction into the human body. By changing the ionisation potentials of the buckyballs, these trapped molecules can be released more easily. The two principal centers for producing these compounds are Umeå in [[Sweden]] and Bachelburg in [[Germany]].

==See also==

==See also==