Carbon-rich stars are known to be prolific producers of molecules. Against expectations, astronomers have identified an old, oxygen-rich star that can also synthesize a chemically varied molecular cocktail.

A carbon revolution has occurred — carbon atoms can be coaxed into several topologies to make materials with unique properties. Nanotubes are the vanguard of this innovation, and are on the cusp of commercial exploitation as the multifunctional components of the next generation of composite materials.