Explore pioneering discoveries in carbon materials and their innovative preparation, characterization, and mechanics in this 44-minute Materials Research Society David Turnbull Lectureship Award talk by Rodney S. Ruoff from Ulsan National Institute of Science & Technology (UNIST). Delve into the world of carbon nanostructures, including fullerenes, metallofullerenes, carbon-encapsulated metal nanoparticles, nanotubes, graphene, metal boride and boron nanoribbons, and boron and boron nitride nanotubes. Gain insights into the synthesis, structure, and properties of these materials, with a focus on their mechanical characteristics. Learn about multiwalled carbon nanotubes, high energy carbon atoms, collapse mechanisms, and the "sword in sheath" failure. Discover the history of graphene, its oxide form, and potential applications. Explore negative and positive curvature carbons, and understand the contributions of Dr. Ruoff's research team to this cutting-edge field of materials science.