What Are the Latest Applications of Buckyballs, Nanotubes, and Graphene?

[Dr Lots-o'watts]

So it's the anniversary of the buckyball today. I understand it's been a breakthrough to uncover a new form of carbon structure, but personally, I haven't followed the story during all this time. While I understand it has motivated much research and stimulated many ideas, I'm wondering if it has found any mass market application yet. Is it still mostly an object of curiosity and hope or am I now dependent on them without realizing it? What's the state of research into buckyballs, nanotubes and graphene? Where are they used? What's the latest progress? What are the latest projects?

 

[jbsteele]

The buckyball, or C60, is still a relatively new discovery and its potential applications are still being explored. Recent research has focused on using buckyballs as a drug delivery system and for their potential use in solar cells. They have also been studied for their potential to create stronger and lighter materials. Additionally, buckyballs have been explored for their ability to store hydrogen, making them potentially useful for fuel cells and energy storage.Nanotubes are another form of carbon structure made up of sheets of graphene rolled into cylindrical shapes. Nanotubes are extremely strong and lightweight, and researchers are exploring their uses in advanced materials such as composite materials for airplanes and space vehicles. They are also being studied for their potential use in medical applications such as drug delivery and tissue engineering.Graphene has become one of the most exciting forms of carbon research in recent years, and it has a range of potential applications. It is incredibly strong and lightweight, making it a potential material for aircraft and spacecraft. It is also an excellent conductor of electricity and heat, making it a potential candidate for electronic components. Graphene is also being studied for its potential use in sensors, solar cells, and biodegradable batteries. Overall, the research into buckyballs, nanotubes and graphene is still in its early stages, though there have been some promising developments. While these materials have yet to find widespread applications in the mass market, research into their properties is ongoing, and there is hope that these materials will find more widespread use in the future.