buckminsterfullerene

noun

buck·​min·​ster·​ful·​ler·​ene ˈbək-(ˌ)min-stər-ˌfu̇-lə-ˈrēn 

: a spherical fullerene C₆₀ that is an extremely stable form of pure carbon, consists of interconnected pentagons and hexagons suggestive of the geometry of a geodesic dome, and is believed to be a major constituent of soot

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1996, the Curls’ son, Robert, then a professor at Rice University, won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for his discovery with others of the nanomaterial buckminsterfullerene. —Richard Marini, ExpressNews.com, 6 Aug. 2020

In 1996 Kroto, Curl and Smalley were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their roles in discovering the molecule, called buckminsterfullerene, or just fullerene (also known as a buckyball). —Ryan C. Fortenberry, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2020

In 1985, scientists actually synthesized something like them as buckminsterfullerene molecules (a name inspired by the architect Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes). —Sam Roberts, New York Times, 30 July 2017

The spherical molecule, also known as buckminsterfullerene, led to the buckytube, carbon cunningly woven into a hollow pipe. —Bruce Sterling, WIRED, 1 Dec. 2005

Word History

Etymology

R. Buckminster Fuller

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above