The discovery of new, all-carbon molecules known as fullerenes was the unexpected result of research into particles found in space.

In 1996, Curl, Kroto and Smalley received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their discovery of fullerenes.

Today, fullerenes are at the heart of nanotechnology—the study of extremely small structures and devices on the atomic scale. This field provides many exciting new research possibilities for scientists.

reference:https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/lesson-plans/discovery-of-fullerenes.pdf

KROTO, CURL AND SMALLEY