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
Examples of buckminsterfullerene in a Sentence
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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.
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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 ever-useful buckminsterfullerene, or buckyball, has a new potential application: carbon capture.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Dec. 2014
The spherical molecule, also known as buckminsterfullerene, led to the buckytube, carbon cunningly woven into a hollow pipe.
—Bruce Sterling, WIRED, 1 Dec. 2005
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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 ever-useful buckminsterfullerene, or buckyball, has a new potential application: carbon capture.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Dec. 2014
The spherical molecule, also known as buckminsterfullerene, led to the buckytube, carbon cunningly woven into a hollow pipe.
—Bruce Sterling, WIRED, 1 Dec. 2005
Cite this Entry
“Buckminsterfullerene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buckminsterfullerene. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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