Nobel Prize in chemistry goes to US-based trio for work on tiny quantum dots | EUROtoday

Issued on: 04/10/2023 – 11:55

2 min

Moungi Bawendi, of MIT, Louis Brus, of Columbia University, and Alexei Ekimov, of Nanocrystals Technology Inc., have been honored for their work with the tiny particles which can be just some atoms in diameter and whose electrons have constrained motion. This results how they take up and launch seen gentle, permitting for very vivid colours. They are used in many electronics, like LED shows.

“These tiny particles have unique properties and now spread their light from television screens and LED lamps. They catalyze chemical reactions and their clear light can illuminate tumor tissue for a surgeon,” in accordance to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which introduced the award in Stockholm.

In a extremely uncommon flip of occasions, Swedish media reported the names of the winners earlier than the prize was introduced.

The academy didn’t remark on the leaked names earlier than the announcement.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which awards the physics, chemistry and economics prizes, asks for nominations a 12 months in advance from 1000’s of college professors and different students world wide.

A committee for every prize then discusses candidates in a collection of conferences all year long. At the top of the method, the committee presents a number of proposals to the total academy for a vote. The deliberations, together with the names of nominees aside from the winners, are saved confidential for 50 years.

On Tuesday, the physics prize went to French-Swedish physicist Anne L’Huillier, French scientist Pierre Agostini and Hungarian-born Ferenc Krausz for producing the primary split-second glimpse into the superfast world of spinning electrons.

The tiny a part of every atom races across the heart and is key to nearly every part: chemistry, physics, our our bodies and our devices.

On Monday, Hungarian-American Katalin Karikó and American Drew Weissman gained the Nobel Prize in medication for discoveries that enabled the creation of mRNA vaccines in opposition to COVID-19.

Last 12 months, Americans Carolyn R. Bertozzi and Ok. Barry Sharpless, and Danish scientist Morten Meldal have been collectively awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry for creating a approach of “snapping molecules together” that can be utilized to discover cells, map DNA and design medicine that may goal ailments comparable to most cancers extra exactly.

The chemistry prize means Nobel season has reached its midway stage. The prizes in literature, peace and economics comply with, with one announcement each weekday till Oct. 9.

The Nobel Foundation raised the prize cash by 10% this 12 months to 11 million kronor (about $1 million). In addition to the cash, winners obtain an 18-carat gold medal and diploma once they gather their Nobel Prizes on the award ceremonies in December.

(AP)