The Most Beautiful Molecule The Discovery of the Buckyball

The Most Beautiful Molecule "The molecule, buckminsterfullerene, is beautiful physically and intellectually. Its qualities, and even some of its properties, can be appreciated instantly and intuitively by nonscientists. Its uniqueness is bound to lead to novel applications-superconductivity is the leading contender at the moment.

Finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Science and Technology "Very well-written and rewarding … an excellent account of the story." —Nature Ten years ago, the discovery of buckminsterfullerene, a previously unknown form of carbon, stunned the scientific community, as much for the discovery itself as for the manner in which it came about. In the words of author Hugh Aldersey-Williams. it was an example of "classic bootleg science. The work was done on the back of other, funded projects, and when time would allow. Yet its commercial implications are probably immense." Now, in a lively account, The Most Beautiful Molecule chronicles the events leading up to this momentous discovery and the ongoing, often frenzied aftermath. Hugh Aldersey-Williams leads us on a thrilling expedition to the very forefront of modern chemistry research.