Sweden's Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the winners of this year’s Nobel Prize in chemistry on Wednesday (October 4).
BREAKING NEWS
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the 2023 #NobelPrize in Chemistry to Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus and Alexei I. Ekimov “for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots.” pic.twitter.com/qJCXc72Dj8
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 4, 2023
The academy said that the prize was awarded to three US-based scientists — Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus and Alexei I. Ekimov. for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots.
Researchers Moungi G. Bawendi & Louis E. Brus are associated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Columbia University respectively. Alexei I. Ekimov is currently working for Nanocrystals Technology Inc., New York.
Quantum Dots
The Academy on X (formerly Twitter) said the 2023 prize rewards the discovery and development of quantum dots and nanoparticles, which are so tiny that "their size determines their properties."
These particles spread their light from television screens and LED lamps. The particles catalyse chemical reactions and their clear light can be used for many applications, including illuminating tumour tissue for conducting surgeries.
This year’s chemistry laureates - Louis Brus and Alexei Ekimov - succeeded in creating quantum dots independently of each other in the 1980s. In 1993, this year's laureate Moungi Bawendi revolutionised the methods for manufacturing quantum dots, making their quality extremely high.
"Researchers have primarily utilised quantum dots to create coloured light. They believe that in the future quantum dots can contribute to flexible electronics, miniscule sensors, slimmer solar cells and perhaps encrypted quantum communication," it added.
Names LeakedToday quantum dots are an important part of nanotechnology’s toolbox. The 2023 #NobelPrize laureates in chemistry have all been pioneers in the exploration of the nanoworld. pic.twitter.com/Yjj3FqpM2X
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 4, 2023
The names of Nobel prize winners were all over the Swedish media after the academy prematurely sent a press release.
"The Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2023 rewards the discovery and development of quantum dots, nanoparticles that are so small that their size determines their properties," Dagens Nyheter (DN), a Swedish daily said quoting the email.
However, chair of the academy's Nobel committee for chemistry, Johan Aqvist, said to Reuters, "It is a mistake by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Our meeting starts at 09:30 CET (07:30 GMT) so no decision has been made yet. The winners have not been selected."
In 2022, American researchers Carolyn R. Bertozzi & K. Barry Sharpless, and Danish scientist Morten Meldal were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry for developing a way of “snapping molecules together” that can be used to explore cells, map DNA and design drugs.
This Year's Winners
Earlier, the prestigious award in medicine in 2023 was given to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman for discoveries that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.
On the other hand, Scientists Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L'Huillier won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics for "experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter."
The Nobel Foundation raised the prize money by 10% this year to 11 million kronor (about $1 million). Additionally, winners will receive an 18-carat gold medal and diploma in December, when they arrive to receive the Nobel Prize.
Also Read:Katalin Karik and Drew Weissman win Nobel in medicine for enabling development of mRNA vaccines
First Published: Oct 4, 2023 3:15 PM IST
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