Fullerenes are carbon clusters (C_n, n=60, 70, 76, 78, 84...960) of spherical configurations or of cylindrical configuration (nanotubes, buckytubes), which possess a large range of interesting physical and chemical properties. An overview is given on preparation/production, properties, modification and chemical reactivity of fullerenes, as well as on research and development activities in Germany, USA and Japan. The broad field of potential applications include new functionalized monomers, photoresits, materials for nano- and microelectronics, adsorption and catalysis, supraconductors, sensors, production of diamonds, lubricants, materials for non-linear optics and solar cells, effective electron traps, joint materials. (WEN)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: RR 4037(2),2 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekBundesministerium fuer Forschung und Technologie (BMFT), Bonn (Germany)2.ed.DEGerman