Discovered by accident in 1985, Carbon-60 (C₆₀) is made of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a perfect sphere—like a microscopic soccer ball. It’s strong, stable, and surprisingly versatile.

New research published in May 2025 found that a variation called fullerenol-C₆₀ helped protect lung and kidney tissue in animals suffering from sepsis—thanks to its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Nicknamed Buckminsterfullerene, C₆₀ is now being explored for cancer therapy, anti-aging applications, and futuristic tech like solar cells and nanomedicine.