(Stockholm) Three researchers received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry on Wednesday for their work on quantum dots.
Moungi Bawendi of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Louis Brus of Columbia University and Alexei Ekimov of Nanocrystals Technology were recognized for their research into these tiny particles that measure just a few atoms in diameter and whose movement of electrons is limited.
This characteristic affects how they absorb and reflect visible light, allowing for very vibrant colors. They are used in many electronic devices, such as LED displays.
“These tiny particles have unique properties and are now used in television screens and LED lamps. They catalyze chemical reactions and their visible light can illuminate tumor tissue for a surgeon,” according to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
In a very unusual turn of events, Swedish media announced the winners’ names before the official unveiling.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which awards prizes in physics, chemistry and economics, calls for applications a year in advance from thousands of university professors and other researchers around the world .
A committee for each award then discusses the nominees in a series of meetings throughout the year. At the end of the process, the committee presents one or more proposals to the entire academy. The deliberations, including the names of nominees other than the winners, remain confidential for 50 years.
On Tuesday, the Nobel Prize in physics was awarded to French-Swedish physicist Anne L’Huillier, French scientist Pierre Agostini and Hungarian Ferenc Krausz for their work on the movement of electrons.
On Monday, the American of Hungarian origin Katalin Karikó and the American Drew Weissman won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their discoveries which enabled the rapid development of messenger RNA vaccines against COVID-19.
Last year, Americans Carolyn R. Bertozzi and K. Barry Sharpless, along with Danish scientist Morten Meldal, were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing a way to “pull molecules together.”
This technique can be used to explore cells, map DNA and design drugs that can more precisely target diseases, such as cancer.
With the unveiling of the chemistry prize winners, the Nobel season has reached the halfway point. The winner of the literature prize will be announced on Thursday, just before the peace prize on Friday. The economics prize will be awarded next Monday, October 9.