archenland: Buckminsterfullerene Also called buckyball, it is a...

archenland:

Buckminsterfullerene

Also called buckyball, it is a spherical fullerene molecule with the formula C₆₀. It has a cage-like fused-ring structure (truncated icosahedron) which resembles a soccer ball, made of twenty hexagons and twelve pentagons, with a carbon atom at each vertex of each polygon and a bond along each polygon edge.

The properties of buckyballs have caused researchers and companies to consider using them in several fields. 

• Buckyballs may be used to trap free radicals generated during an allergic reaction and block the inflammation that results from an allergic reaction.
  
• The antioxidant properties of buckyballs may be able to fight the deterioration of motor function due to multiple sclerosis.
  
• Combining buckyballs, nanotubes, and polymers to produce inexpensive solar cells that can be formed by simply painting a surface.
  
• Buckyballs may be used to store hydrogen, possibly as a fuel tank for fuel cell powered cars.
  
• Buckyballs may be able to reduce the growth of bacteria in pipes and membranes in water systems.
  
• Researchers are attempting to modify buckyballs to fit the section of the HIV molecule that binds to proteins, possibly inhibiting the spread of the virus.
  
• Making bullet proof vests with inorganic (tungsten disulfide) buckyballs.
  

This is such a weird structure…

via Tumblr http://bit.ly/1SVFMEQ