The discovery of the extraterrestrial origin
of the enclosed helium has far-reaching implications for thehistory of the earth. For example, the existence of the carrier
phase of fullerenes suggests that “fullerenes, volatiles, andperhaps other organic compounds were being exogenously delivered to
the early Earth and other planets throughout time.”iiBecker,Poreda, and Bunch, 2982. With more research, it might even be
possible to determine whether meteorite impacts on earth could havetriggered global changes or even brought carbon and gases to earth
that allowed for the development of life!
Uses
Why does it matter? Why should anyone care?
These buckyballs are giving scientists information about allotropesof carbon never before conceived. More importantly, these
buckyballs might allow engineers and doctors do what was neverbefore possible. These are some of the applications for buckyballs
currently in research.
Medical uses for buckyballs
Drug treatments
Buckyballs are now being considered for uses in the field
of medicine, both as diagnostic tools and drug candidates. SimonFriedman, a researcher at the University of Kansas, began
experimenting with buckyballs as possible drug treatments in 1991.Because buckyballs have a rigid structure (unlike benzene rings,
often used for similar purposes), researchers are able to attachother molecules to it in specific configurations to create precise
interactions with a target molecule. For example, Friedman hascreated a protease inhibitor that attaches to the active site of
HIV 50 times better than other molecules. C Sixty, a Toronto basedcompany that specializes in medical uses of fullerenes, plans to
test on humans two new fullerene-based drugs for Lou Gehrig’sdisease and HIV in the near future.
Gadolinium carriers
Another medical use for buckyballs is taking
place in the field of diagnostics. Buckyballs unique cage-likestructure might allow it to take the place of other molecules in
shuttling toxic metal substances through the human body during MRIscans. Usually, the metal gadolinium is attached to another
molecule and sent into the body to provide contrast on the MRIscans, but unfortunately these molecules are excreted from thesystem quickly to reduce the chance of toxic poisoning in the
subject. Lon Wilson of Rice University and researchers at TDAResearch have encased gadolinium inside buckyballs, where they
cannot do harm to the patient, allowing them to remain inside thebody longer, but still appear in MRI’s. So far this application has
been successfully tested in one rat. Wilson and others have begunto develop even more applications for the tiny little cages that
could one day help revolutionizemedicine.
Engineering Uses
Nano stm
The Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) is one of the foremost tools in microscopy today; boasting the ability to to map out the topology of material surfaces at atomic resolution (i.e. on the order of 0.2 nanometers). The STM achieves this feat by bringing a needle point, functioning as a probe, within just several nanometers of a sample's surface. At these minute scales, even small disturbances can cause the tip to crach into the sample and deform itself. A possible solution to this problem would be the replacement of the standard needle point with a buckyball. As discussed previously, fullerenes bear amazing resilience due to their spherical geometry, and would resist distortions from such collisions.
Buckyballs in circuits
European scientists are aiming to use
buckyballs in circuit. So far, they have been able to attach asingle fullerene to a copper surface, and then, through a process
called shrink wrapping, fitted its center with a metal ion and madeit smaller to increases electric conductivity by a hundred
times.
Lubricants
Because of their shapes, they could be used
equivalently to ball bearings, and thus allow surfaces to roll overeach other, making the fullerenes equivalently lubricants
Superconductors
It has been shown that fitting a potassium
ion in the buckyball causes it to become superconductive. Ways toexploit this are in the research stages.
Catalysts
Attaching metals onto the surface of
fullerenes offers the possibility for buckyballs to becomecatalysts.
Conclusion
As we can see, we have come along way since
that fateful year of 1985. Strides have been made. We have seen therise of nanotubes and the new science of Nanotechnology. We are
still studying the chemical and physical properties of buckyballsand continue to be amazed. They have already proved to us why they
are important; their possible uses in medicine and in engineeringare broad and profound, while the health risks they posed have yet
to be fully analyzed. Only time will tell whether they will meet,or exceed our expectations as we unfold this brave new
world.
Gorman, Jessica. Buckymedicine: Coming soon
to a pharmacy near you?. Science News Online: July 13, 2002, vol.162, no. 2.
http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20020713/bob10.asp
Becker, Poreda, and Bunch. Extraterrestrial
Helium Trapped in Fullerenes in the Sudbury Impact Structure.Science, Vol 272, Issue 5259, 249-252 , 12 April 1996.
Personal author: Aldersey-Williams, Hugh.
Title: The most beautiful molecule : an adventure in chemistry/ Hugh Aldersey-Williams.
Publication info: London : Aurum Press, 1995.Personal author: Baggott, J. E.
Title: Perfect symmetry : the accidental discovery ofBuckminsterfullerene / Jim Baggott.
Publication info: Oxford [England]; New York : Oxford University Press,
1994.
Questions & Answers
differentiate between demand and supply
giving examples
In economics, a perfect market refers to a theoretical construct where all participants have perfect information, goods are homogenous, there are no barriers to entry or exit, and prices are determined solely by supply and demand. It's an idealized model used for analysis,
When MP₁ becomes negative, TP start to decline.
Extuples Suppose that the short-run production function of certain cut-flower firm is given by: Q=4KL-0.6K2 - 0.112 •
Where is quantity of cut flower produced, I is labour input and K is fixed capital input (K-5). Determine the average product of lab
Kelo
Extuples Suppose that the short-run production function of certain cut-flower firm is given by: Q=4KL-0.6K2 - 0.112 •
Where is quantity of cut flower produced, I is labour input and K is fixed capital input (K-5). Determine the average product of labour (APL) and marginal product of labour (MPL)
Quantity demanded refers to the specific amount of a good or service that consumers are willing and able to purchase at a give price and within a specific time period. Demand, on the other hand, is a broader concept that encompasses the entire relationship between price and quantity demanded
Ezea
ok
Shukri
how do you save a country economic situation when it's falling apart
Economic growth as an increase in the production and consumption of goods and services within an economy.but
Economic development as a broader concept that encompasses not only economic growth but also social & human well being.
Shukri
production function means
Jabir
What do you think is more important to focus on when considering inequality ?
sir...I just want to ask one question... Define the term contract curve? if you are free please help me to find this answer 🙏
Asui
it is a curve that we get after connecting the pareto optimal combinations of two consumers after their mutually beneficial trade offs
Awais
thank you so much 👍 sir
Asui
In economics, the contract curve refers to the set of points in an Edgeworth box diagram where both parties involved in a trade cannot be made better off without making one of them worse off. It represents the Pareto efficient allocations of goods between two individuals or entities, where neither p
Cornelius
In economics, the contract curve refers to the set of points in an Edgeworth box diagram where both parties involved in a trade cannot be made better off without making one of them worse off. It represents the Pareto efficient allocations of goods between two individuals or entities,
Cornelius
Suppose a consumer consuming two commodities X and Y has
The following utility function u=X0.4 Y0.6. If the price of the X and Y are 2 and 3 respectively and income Constraint is birr 50.
A,Calculate quantities of x and y which maximize utility.
B,Calculate value of Lagrange multiplier.
C,Calculate quantities of X and Y consumed with a given price.
D,alculate optimum level of output .
the market for lemon has 10 potential consumers, each having an individual demand curve p=101-10Qi, where p is price in dollar's per cup and Qi is the number of cups demanded per week by the i th consumer.Find the market demand curve using algebra. Draw an individual demand curve and the market dema
suppose the production function is given by ( L, K)=L¼K¾.assuming capital is fixed find APL and MPL. consider the following short run production function:Q=6L²-0.4L³ a) find the value of L that maximizes output b)find the value of L that maximizes marginal product
