1. Cylindrical nanostructures made of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, typically a few nanometers in diameter; also called carbon nanotubes.
Usage: technical; materials science; often used in plural form; named after buckminsterfullerene (buckyballs)

Examples

• Buckytubes have exceptional strength and electrical conductivity, making them useful in nanotechnology.
• Scientists are exploring applications of buckytubes in electronics and composite materials.
• The hollow structure of buckytubes allows them to be filled with other substances.
• Buckytubes can be single-walled or multi-walled depending on their structure.
• Researchers discovered that buckytubes could potentially be used in medical devices.