Fullerenes
Fullerenes are a family of carbon molecules arranged in closed, cage-like structures, such as hollow spheres or tubes, first identified in the 1980s as a third stable form of carbon alongside diamond and graphite. These molecules are prized in modern science for their extraordinary stability and versatility, enabling applications in everything from drug delivery systems to advanced solar cells.
Did you know?
Fullerenes aren't just lab-made; C60, the most common fullerene, was detected in the remnants of a dying star in 2010, making it the largest molecule ever found in space and hinting at how complex carbon structures might form in the universe. This cosmic discovery has fueled theories about the origins of life on Earth, as fullerenes could have been delivered by meteorites.
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