Buckyballs: as hard as carbon
Nobel Laureate Sir Harold Kroto with a model of a buckyball molecule
Research into space has catalysed fundamental breakthroughs in science with major implications for innovative technological applications.
Nobel Laureate Sir Harold Kroto will deliver Carbon in Nano and Outer Space, the Monash Chemical Society’s 2011 Ron Brown Memorial Lecture on Thursday 29 September.
Sir Kroto, currently the Francis Eppes Professor of Chemistry, Florida State University, will discuss how the link between fundamental research in astrochemistry and modern nanoscience continues to grow.
Years after the discovery of buckyballs - spherical fullerenes of carbon - the work that earned he and colleagues Rick Smalley and Bob Curl the Nobel prize and saw a resurgence of carbon chemistry and the development of nanomaterials, there is new evidence of buckyballs in space.
Professor Donald McNaughton from the School of Chemistry said the lecture would be of interest to science researchers and science educationalists.
“Sir Kroto will put the modern work of himself and others in nanoscience and astrochemistry into an historical context, and no doubt entertain along the way with his views on science, life and society,” Professor McNaughton said.
“His major interest these days is science education and the role of science in society.”
As well as presenting the Ron Brown Memorial Lecture, Sir Kroto will meet with members of the Faculty of Science to discuss the development of web and media-based systems like the Global educational outreach for science education and technology (GEOSET) developed by Florida State University and how Monash can be involved and benefit from involvement in this initiative.
The Ron Brown Memorial Lecture will be held on Thursday 29 September at Monash University building 25, Lecture Theatre S3, Clayton campus from 4 – 5pm with refreshments to follow in the adjoining foyer area.
Dinner will follow at Artichoke and Whitebait in the Campus Centre from 6pm. Reservations for dinner are necessary as numbers are limited.
For more information on the lecture contact Associate Professor Andrea Robinson on 9905 4553 or by email andrea.robinson@monash.edu.
For details on Sir Kroto, his science and areas of interest visit the Kroto Research Institute website, GEOSET or the Vega Trust.
For information of the Monash Chemical Society's 2011 lecture series visit the Monash Chemical Society's website.