Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023: 3 scientists awarded for discovery & synthesis of quantum dots

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

In the early 1980s, this year’s chemistry laureates Louis Brus and Alexei Ekimov succeeded in creating – independently of each other – quantum dots, which are nanoparticles so tiny that quantum effects determine their characteristics.

In 1993, chemistry laureate Moungi Bawendi revolutionised the methods for manufacturing quantum dots, making their quality extremely high – a vital prerequisite for their use in today’s nanotechnology.

In 1993, chemistry laureate Moungi Bawendi revolutionised the methods for manufacturing quantum dots, making their quality extremely high – a vital prerequisite for their use in today’s nanotechnology.#NobelPrize pic.twitter.com/VSkyvr47l0

— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 4, 2023

The 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry rewards the discovery and development of quantum dots, nanoparticles so tiny that their size determines their properties. These particles have unique properties and now spread their light from television screens and LED lamps. They catalyse chemical reactions and their clear light can illuminate tumour tissue for a surgeon.

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.

Earlier on Wednesday, Sweden’s Royal Academy of Sciences appeared to have inadvertently published the names of three scientists it said had won this year’s Nobel Prize in chemistry. Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet published a copy of an email its said was from the academy naming the laureates as Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus and Alexei I. Ekimov, news agency Reuters reported.

The Nobel Foundation raised the prize money by 10 per cent this year to 11 million kronor (about USD 1 million). In addition to the money, winners receive an 18-carat gold medal and diploma when they collect their Nobel Prizes at the award ceremonies in December.

The 2022 Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded in equal parts to Carolyn R Bertozzi, Morten Meldal and K Barry Sharpless for developing way of “snapping molecules together.”

Earlier on Tuesday, the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier were for their work in “experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter.”