Richard Buckminster Gallery

Fullerene molecules, computer artwork

Fullerene molecules. Computer artwork of nested, spherical fullerene molecules. Fullerenes are allotropes (different structural types) of carbon. The molecular models here (one blue, one pink) show the spherical arrangements of carbon atoms in rings of hexagons and a few pentagons. The spherical fullerenes are sometimes referred to as buckyballs, after the first such molecule to be discovered (C60, buckminsterfullerene). As of 2006, research is being conducted into the use of fullerenes for medical purposes. Fullerenes are also being investigated for their physical and chemical properties

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