fullerene

[fool-uh-reen]

noun

1. any of a class of molecules of carbon having a roughly spherical shape.

fullerene

/ ˈfʊləˌriːn /

noun

1. any of various carbon molecules with a polyhedral structure similar to that of buckminsterfullerene, such as C 70 , C 76 , and C 84 See also buckminsterfullerene

fullerene

1. Any of various carbon molecules that are nearly spherical in shape, are composed of hexagonal, pentagonal, or heptagonal groups of atoms, and constitute the third form of pure carbon after diamond and graphite.

2. See more at buckminsterfullerene

Word History and Origins

Origin of fullerene¹

1985–90; after R. Buckminster Fuller; -ene

Example Sentences

The researchers utilised Buckminster fullerenes, which are football-shaped molecules consisting of 60 carbon atoms, to transport individual Kr atoms into nano test tubes.

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The fullerenes’ hunger for electrons makes them powerful acceptors.

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The name was later shortened to fullerenes or buckyballs.

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It has been nearly 35 years since Kroto and colleagues’ fullerene paper was published.

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The discovery that fullerene was among the reaction products led to the award of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Harry Kroto, Richard Smalley and Robert Curl in 1996.

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