herical ball with the chemical formula C60. The bonds between atoms form a pattern of joined hexagons and pentagons that is similar to the panels on a soccer ball. The allotrope was given its name because its structure resembles the elaborate geometrical structures invented by American architect Buckminster Fuller. The individual molecules have become known as buckyballs. For many years it was believed that the element carbon occurred as only three allotropes: diamond, graphite, and amorphous carbon. In each of these allotropes, the carbon atoms are linked together in a different arrangement, giving the form of the element different properties. In 1985, however, a new family of allotropes was discovered. Of these allotropes, which are called fullerenes, buckminsterfullerene has become the most famous. Other fullerenes have more carbon atoms, and their shapes resemble elongated versions of the original, soccer ball-shaped buckminsterfullerene. Once buckminsterfullerene could be produced in large amounts, a solid form, fullerite, was also produced. In this transparent yellow solid, the molecules are stacked together in a close-packed arrangement like a pile of cannon balls. Tubular versions of fullerenes are also available in solid form. Buckminsterfullerene has been a paragon of stability because of its survival skills inside the cluster-making machine where it first made itself known. Its strong bonds enable it to avoid bonding with free molecules -- an essential characteristic for ultimate stability. Add to this the fact that carbon bonding is extremely well understood and controllable, and the result is a molecule perfect for nanotechnology's task of molecular construction. The strength of buckminsterfullerene will allow materials made from it to stand up to more stress than the other carbon forms, graphite and diamond, could manage. Its spherical structure and strong carbon bonds prevent defects from spreading and affecting the over...
