Professor Sir Harold Kroto FRS NL 1939-2016 In 1985, experiments initiated here at the University of Sussex led Kroto to discover a new form of carbon, which he named Buckminsterfullerene (C60 or Buckyball), sparking many applications in material science, electronics and nanotechnology. Kroto, with US collaborators, shared the Nobel Prize for discovery of these 'Fullerenes' in 1996. Kroto also passionately promoted science engagement, founding the VEGA Science Trust and GEOSET.