Molecules With Sunglasses

About the original discovery in 1985 of a third form of solid carbon, named Buckminsterfullerene after the architect who invented geodesic domes. The two scientists who discovered the material glimpsed it for brief seconds only in their lasers but neither they nor other scientists subsequently could make the substance last long enough in the laser to prove their theory. Then in 1990, a couple of physicists with an arc-welder in a bell-jar found they could make as much Buckminsterfullerene as they liked, and industrial applications opened up, with talk of new polymers, molecular ball-bearings, lubricants and super- conductors. Meanwhile, the original discoverers were turning back to the fundamental questions surrounding the discovery, such as how and why does it form; does it exist in space or is it the solution to one of the great mysteries of the universe.

Other episodes for this season

The Shadow of Breast Cancer
Episode 1 - The Shadow of Breast Canc...
Pest Wars
Episode 2 - Pest Wars
Molecules With Sunglasses
Episode 3 - Molecules With Sunglasses
In Search of the Noble Savage
Episode 4 - In Search of the Noble Sa...
Malaria: Battle of the Merozoites
Episode 5 - Malaria: Battle of the Me...
The Black Sun
Episode 6 - The Black Sun
Hitler's Bomb
Episode 7 - Hitler's Bomb
An Expensive Theology
Episode 8 - An Expensive Theology
The Strange Life and Death of Dr. Turing
Episode 9 - The Strange Life and Deat...
Hot Jam in the Doughnut
Episode 10 - Hot Jam in the Doughnut
A Diet for a Lifetime
Episode 11 - A Diet for a Lifetime
Before Babel
Episode 12 - Before Babel
The Man Who Moved the Mountains
Episode 13 - The Man Who Moved the Mou...
Iceman
Episode 14 - Iceman
Taking the Credit
Episode 15 - Taking the Credit
Fast Life in the Food Chain
Episode 16 - Fast Life in the Food Cha...
Dodging Doomsday
Episode 17 - Dodging Doomsday
A Question of Sport...
Episode 18 - A Question of Sport...
Genes R Us
Episode 19 - Genes R Us