Buckey Balls are also known as C60 molecules, Buckyballs and Buckminsterfullerene. Buckey Balls are molecules made up of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a series of interlocking hexagons and pentagons, forming a structure that looks similar to a soccer ball. C60 is actually a "truncated icosahedron", consisting of 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons. It was discovered in 1985 by Professor Sir Harry Kroto, and two Rice University professors, chemists Dr. Richard E. Smalley and Dr. Robert F. Curl Jr., [for which they were jointly awarded the 1996 Nobel Lauriate for chemistry] and is the only molecule composed of a single element to form a hollow spheroid [which gives the potential for filling it, and using it for novel drug-delivery systems. C60 is the third major form of pure carbon; graphite and diamond are the other two.

Carbon is a Block P, Group 12, Period 2 element. The number of electrons in each of Carbon's shells is 2, 4 and its electronic configuration is [He] 2s² 2p². In its elemental form carbon's CAS number is 7440-44-0. Carbon in its purest form has very low toxicity. Carbon black dust, such as soot or coal dust can cause irritation and damage to the lungs when inhaled in large quantities. Carbon In its elemental form is one of the softest (graphite) and hardest (diamond) materials found in nature. Applications for graphitic carbon include in lubricant formulations and as the replacement for lead in pencils. Diamond and diamond micropowder have numerous industrial applications due to its extreme hardness and resistance to heat and pressure, including in geological drilling bits, grinding media and as a high strength, high temperature abrasive.Graphene is a nanoscale ultra thin film or foil with thicknesses as small as 1 nanometer which can be produced from either silicon carbide or graphite flake processing. These include in drill bits and grinding media and grinding equipment. Carbon also finds application in steel alloys, in various filtering and purification technologies and as a neutron moderator in nuclear power plants. Carbon  is available as a nanoparticle and in single-walled, double-walled and multi-walled nanotubes with purities from 99% to 99.999% ( ultra-high purity ). Carbon was first discovered by Hans Christian Oersted in 1825. The name carbon originates from the Latin word 'carbo' meaning charcoal. See Carbon research below.

Toxicity Safety & Handling