Curl, Kroto, and Smalley discover spherical pure-carbon molecules (buckminsterfullerene, C₆₀). Third allotropic form of carbon after graphite and diamond. They open up carbon nanotechnology and directly precede nanotubes (1991) and graphene (2004).
InstitutionRice University, Houston / University of Sussex
Historical regionUnited States / United Kingdom
Primary sourceKroto, H.W. et al. — "C60: Buckminsterfullerene" (Nature, 1985)