Fullerene
This was the latest form of pure carbon to be discovered (along with Nanotubes a little bit after).
Richard Smalley (Rice University-US) and Harry Kroto (Sussex University-UK) shared the Nobel Prize for it.
This structure resembles a football and also some exotic buildings projected by the arquitect Buckminster Fuller, who lent his name.
It is also called C60, as there are 60 carbon atoms in it. Its geometry is composed of 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons.
Fullerenes are subject of intense research, including chemical reactions, spectroscopy, new materials, etc
It is one of the most important materials applied in nanotechnology. It can also be produced in alongated shapes, forming what are called nanotubes. Nanotubes are the new supermaterial, with extraordinary mechanical strength and interesting electronic properties.