In 1985 several American scientists under the guidance of R.Smolli in spectrums of steams of carbon found out the accurate peaks corresponding clusters, consisting of 60 atoms of carbon. Further research showed that these clusters actually are individual molecules. These molecules have been named fullerenes in honor of the American architect Richard Fuller who for the first time had constructed a geodetic dome, consisting of hexagons and pentagons. The discovery of the new form of carbon was awarded the Nobel Prize, and its surprising chemical and physical properties have caused a continuous fullerenes boom.
Carbon nanostructures were discovered in the course of studying the properties of fullerenes. Six years after the discovery of fullerenes, the Japanese scientist Idzhima, was investigating the deposits formed on the cathode at evaporation of carbon in an electric arch, he found new carbon frame forms —nanotubes. The discovery was so significant, that Idzhima remains one of the most quoted experts in this area of physics of materials. It is essential to consider, that this discovery is the exact beginning of the opening to the nanoworld predicted by the great American scientist Richard Feynman.
Thirty years ago, R. Feynman predicted the existence of the nanoworld, in a speech given by Feynman he states that within the nanoworld many physical and chemical processes take place under unknown laws, where existing laws do not apply. His speech concluded with a distinguished appeal for further studies to be carried out on this nanoworld: "fellow scientists, there is an extraordinary amount of space within the nanoworld."
Mystic, but a reality :
The great Artist, Leonardo da Vinci produced drawings for Luke Patchouli’s book ‘About perfection of the world’, published at the beginning of XVI century. He drew the perfect molecule consisting of 60 atoms which represents the truncated icosahedron. As can be seen today a fullerene molecule is identical to da Vinci’s earlier drawings — one to one, full conformity (metrical invariant). A 500 years ago prediction! Insert Drawing!!!!


Till now, nanotubes have been made in the same way as Idzhima first made: condensation of steams of carbon at arc or laser evaporation in the presence of the catalyst resulting in the formation of the frame carbon structures coagulated into one or several carbon beds. Depending on purity levels, nanotubes, created in this way or other known methods, have an international market price of $300 to $1000 for 1 gram. Possessing unique electrical, chemical and mechanical characteristics, Nanotubes have created a new direction in material technology, nanoelektronics and applied chemistry. The Russian Scientist V. I. Petrik, aware of this situation has developed a way of producing nanocarbons structures at much lower costs. Without over exaggeration it is a fact that the centre of scientific research and production in St. Petersburg, established by academic V. I. Petrik., is now producing approximately ten thousand times more carbon nanostructures, than in any other place around the world.

The unique properties of nanotubes are described in major scientific journals. It is 50 000 times thinner than a hair, ten times lighter than plastic and a thousand times stronger than steel. Due to its chemical stability, electrical conductivity( which can be changed) and the fantastic mechanical strength it takes the leading position in the spectrum of practical applications in the 21 st century.