Sep 05 – The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2023 has been awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to Moungi G. Bawendi from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Louis E. Brus from Columbia University, and Alexei I. Ekimov from Nanocrystals Technology. They are being honored “for their pioneering work on the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots,” as announced by the Academy.
In their statement, the Academy highlighted that the Nobel Prize recognizes the groundbreaking discovery and advancement of quantum dots, which are incredibly tiny nanoparticles whose unique properties are determined by their size. These minuscule building blocks of nanotechnology have found applications in a wide array of fields, including their use in televisions, LED lamps, and even aiding surgeons in the precise removal of tumor tissue, among other applications.
The Nobel Prize comes with a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor, to be equally distributed among the laureates.
Johan Aqvist, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry, commented on the significance of quantum dots, noting their intriguing and distinct properties. He highlighted that these nanoparticles exhibit varying colors based on their size, which has paved the way for their application in technologies like QLED computer monitors and television screens. Quantum dots have also enhanced the quality of light emitted by certain LED lamps and have proven valuable in the field of biochemistry and medicine, where they are used for mapping biological tissue.
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The concept of size-dependent quantum effects in nanoparticles had been a theoretical possibility in physics, but practical implementation in nano-dimensions was considered nearly impossible. However, in the early 1980s, Alexei I. Ekimov achieved a breakthrough by creating size-dependent quantum effects in colored glass, where the color was determined by nanoparticles of copper chloride. This groundbreaking work demonstrated that particle size had a direct impact on the glass’s color due to quantum effects.
Louis E. Brus further contributed to the field by becoming the first scientist to prove the existence of size-dependent quantum effects in nanoparticles suspended in a fluid, marking a significant milestone in the exploration of quantum dot properties.
In 1993, Moungi G. Bawendi made a revolutionary contribution by developing a high-quality chemical production method for quantum dots, resulting in nearly flawless particles. This level of quality was instrumental in enabling their practical applications across various domains.
