Nanotechnology Nanotechnology Nanotechnology is a new and exciting field of study at the very border between science and science fiction.
Nanotechnology involves creating new materials by the manipulation of individual atoms.
Fullerenes are ideal for research into this field, as they have many desirable properties such as low reactivity, a large size and mass, a non polar symmetrical nature and very weak inter molecular van der Waal's bonds A C 60 molecule is a large molecule, and attempts have been made to manipulate it, in the same way that individual noble gas atoms can now be moved to required positions. It is possible to encapsulate individual metal atoms inside a fullerene cage to give molecules with new properties. A Metal Atom Inside a Fullerene Cage. A Fullerene Nanotube. For example, a fullerene nanotube could be filled with metal atoms, similar to the way peas fill a pea pod, these wires would be ultrathin, and excellent conductors.