Final answer:
The question may be conflating different individuals named Richard. If referring to Richard Smalley's team's discovery at Rice University, the major finding was fullerenes, like buckminsterfullerene (C60 or 'buckyballs'). If it is about the properties of cathode rays, more information is needed to make a clear connection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question seems to be a bit unclear regarding the individual named 'Richard con Krafft-Ebbing,' as there is no prominent figure by that name in the scientific context present with the information provided. However, there are multiple Richards mentioned, which could have led to confusion.
If the question refers to the work of Richard Smalley's team at Rice University, which included scientists such as Robert Curl, then the major discovery in question is likely the fullerenes, a new form of carbon, where the most well-known molecule is the buckminsterfullerene (C60), also known as 'buckyballs.'
On the other hand, if we are referring to a different Richard whose research focused on cathode rays, the individual could be pertaining to findings related to the properties of electrons, though the provided reference isn't specifically aligned with a person named Richard con Krafft-Ebbing.