Nanotechnology Gallery

Buckyball molecule

Buckyball molecule. Computer artwork of a molecule of buckminsterfullerene (C60), a spherical fullerene and the first fullerene to be discovered (in 1985). It is named after the architect Richard Buckminster Fuller, who popularised geodesic domes of a similar shape. Fullerenes are a structural type (allotrope) of carbon. The molecular model here shows the spherical arrangement of the 60 carbon atoms in rings of pentagons and hexagons. The spherical fullerenes are sometimes referred to as buckyballs. As of 2006, research was being conducted into the use of fullerenes for medical purposes. Fullerenes are also being investigated for their physical and chemical properties

© LAGUNA DESIGN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Salvinia Effect of Salvinia natans

Scanning electron micrograph of leaf detail of Salvinia natans, a floating fern type plant which has superhydrophobic trichomes or hairs on the upper surface of its leaves. Each of these eggbeater shaped hairs exhibits a hydrophilic tip on the top of each hydrophobic hair. The combination of a hydrophobic surface with hydrophilic tips is called the "Salvinia Effect". These air retaining surfaces are of great interest, particularly with regards to fuel consumption when applied to ships having to overcome friction produced by the drag of water on their hulls. This drag could be reduced dramatically with the "Salvinia Effect", a layer of air between the ship's hull and the water, saving vast amounts of fuel. A suggested estimated saving of 20 million tons of oil per year for just a 10% decrease in drag for shipping alone. Magnification: x372 (x122 at 10cm wide)

© POWER AND SYRED/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Buckyball and nanotube, artwork F005/0798

Buckyball molecule surrounded by a carbon nanotube, computer artwork

© LAGUNA DESIGN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Artwork, Ball, Buckyball, Carbon, Illustration, Large Group Of Objects, Medical Concept, Mesh, Nano, Nanotech, Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology Research, Nanotube, Research, Shape, Tube, Tubular, White Background