NUNZIUM

On October 4, 2023, the scientific community celebrated as Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus, and Alexei I. Ekimov were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences recognized these three scientists for their revolutionary work in nanotechnology, specifically for their discovery and synthesis of quantum dots.

Quantum dots, nanoparticles whose properties are dictated by their size, were first synthesized in the 1980s by Alexei Ekimov. He utilized copper chloride nanoparticles within colored glass, marking the inception of a new era in nanotechnology. Louis Brus advanced this research by demonstrating size-dependent quantum effects in particles suspended in fluid. The synthesis of quantum dots was further refined in 1993 by Moungi Bawendi, who improved their chemical production, resulting in nearly flawless particles.

The unique characteristic of quantum dots is their color emission, which varies depending on their size. This has led to numerous applications, including use in QLED technology for computer monitors and television screens, LED lamps, and even in medical diagnostics to differentiate between healthy and diseased tissue during tumor removal.

The laureates' work has paved the way for a multitude of potential future applications such as flexible electronics, miniaturized sensors, slimmer solar cells, and encrypted quantum communication. Despite an early leak of the laureates' names by the Swedish Academy of Sciences, the award, amounting to 11 million Swedish kronor (£824,000), was unaffected. The laureates, all based in the US, were celebrated as “pioneers in the exploration of the nanoworld” by the Nobel committee for chemistry. The president of the American Chemical Society, Judith Giordan, also commended the laureates for transitioning their work from theory to practical application.

The laureates' diverse backgrounds further underline the global impact of their work. Bawendi, a Paris-born professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brus, a Cleveland-born professor at Columbia University, and Ekimov, a former Chief Scientist at Nanocrystals Technology Inc. born in the former USSR, have all made substantial contributions to nanotechnology.

The 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry thus stands as a testament to the power of scientific discovery and the limitless potential of nanotechnology. Prof Gill Reid, the president of the Royal Society of Chemistry, encapsulated this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives and teamwork in scientific advancements. As our world becomes increasingly reliant on technology, the work of these laureates underscores the infinite possibilities that lie within the exploration of the infinitesimal.