Chemical Physics of Fullerenes 10 (and 5) Years Later

A decade has elapsed since the discovery of C60 in molecular beams, and five years since the first synthesis of solid C60. At the time, the opening of a new era for chemistry was foreseen and high expectations were shared by physicists and material scientists. Where are we now? Where are we aiming? What can we expect from now on? The answer will be found in this volume, written by the protagonists of the fullerene adventure. There is a whole new generation of materials now, in the form of molecules, solids, nanostructures, either directly derived from Bucky or inspired by it. They continue to create new challenges to our fundamental understanding and seem to be ready for important, long-lasting applications. Audience: The book is mainly directed to specialized scientists - physicists, chemists, material scientists and biochemists - who will find it a source of learning and inspiration. Younger researchers, too, will find it fascinating, since it allows them to learn about and quickly acquire a critical view of an interdisciplinary, frontier subject.