The most beautiful molecule : the discovery of the buckyball
著者
書誌事項
The most beautiful molecule : the discovery of the buckyball
John Wiley & Sons, c1995
- : hbk
- : pbk
大学図書館所蔵 全4件
  青森
  岩手
  宮城
  秋田
  山形
  福島
  茨城
  栃木
  群馬
  埼玉
  千葉
  東京
  神奈川
  新潟
  富山
  石川
  福井
  山梨
  長野
  岐阜
  静岡
  愛知
  三重
  滋賀
  京都
  大阪
  兵庫
  奈良
  和歌山
  鳥取
  島根
  岡山
  広島
  山口
  徳島
  香川
  愛媛
  高知
  福岡
  佐賀
  長崎
  熊本
  大分
  宮崎
  鹿児島
  沖縄
  韓国
  中国
  タイ
  イギリス
  ドイツ
  スイス
  フランス
  ベルギー
  オランダ
  スウェーデン
  ノルウェー
  アメリカ
注記
Includes bibliographical references (p. 292-332) and index
内容説明・目次
- 巻冊次
-
: hbk ISBN 9780471109389
内容説明
The discovery of buckminsterfullerine, a previously unknown form of carbon, surprised the scientific community as much for the discovery as for the manner in which it came about. Here was a new, almost perfect carbon form with potential applications, discovered almost as a side project. This text recounts the events leading up to the discovery of the "buckyball" and explores the many new doors this scientific breakthrough may open.
目次
- Making Molecules
- September 1985
- The Search for the Yellow Vial
- On Symmetry and the Sexagesimal
- The Fuller View
- The Chemical Senses
- The Chemist-Stylites
- September 1990
- The Peak of Perfection
- My Lords, What Does It Do? The Molecular Architects
- Epilogue: Spot the Ball
- Notes and References
- Index.
- 巻冊次
-
: pbk ISBN 9780471193333
内容説明
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."
"The commercial potential of buckminsterfullerene has heightened the excitement and controversy in recent years, while the exact nature of the discovery process in 1985 has been the subject of a heated feud between the British and American scientists involved."-Hugh Aldersey-Williams
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, with objectivity and insight, The Most Beautiful Molecule recounts the events leading up to this momentous discovery and chronicles the ongoing, often frenzied aftermath. Hugh Aldersey-Williams leads us on a thrilling expedition to the very forefront of modern chemistry research.
Houston, Texas, 1985. Two industrious chemists discover a previously unknown form of carbon and christen it buckminsterfullerene, for its striking resemblance to American architect Richard Buckminster Fuller's geodesic domes. This unusual molecule-also known as the buckyball-is composed of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a hollow sphere, with hexagonal and pentagonal configurations similar to those found on a soccer ball. Its near-perfect symmetry is just one reason why scientists have since dubbed it "the most beautiful molecule."
The discovery of buckminsterfullerene-by American physicist and chemist Richard Smalley and British physical chemist Harry Kroto-rocked the scientific community. After all, generations believed graphite and diamond to be the only pure forms of carbon. How had this third form gone undetected?
In fact, the actual discovery was merely the beginning of an intense-and ongoing-quest to master this newest form of the most basic of elements. Confirmation would take five years and launch an unprecedented flood of investigation and investment. The unique physical structure of buckminsterfullerene-a "cage" into which atoms of other materials may be inserted-had huge commercial potential and inspired scientists, industrial laboratories, and corporations alike. Backed by such giants as AT&T, DuPont, Exxon, and IBM, a highly competitive search for practical applications began-and continues. Possibilities range from the creation of a revolutionary rocket fuel to nanotechnology-the construction of microscopic "molecular machines"-to developments in the fight against AIDS.
Here, then, is a fascinating, multilayered look at one of the most important scientific findings of our time. The Most Beautiful Molecule is a brain-teasing detective story, a marvelously detailed, inside look at the workings of the scientific community, and an exciting contemplation of what lies ahead. From the forefront of research in modern chemistry, author Hugh Aldersey-Williams offers, in his own words, "a celebration of the intimate world of physical science and its practitioners."
目次
Making Molecules.
September 1985.
The Search for the Yellow Vial.
On Symmetry and the Sexagesimal.
The Fuller View.
The Chemical Senses.
The Chemist-Stylites.
September 1990.
The Peak of Perfection.
"My Lords, What Does It Do?" The Molecular Architects.
Epilogue: Spot the Ball.
Notes and References.
Index.
「Nielsen BookData」 より