Scientists Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus and Alexei Ekimov got the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their finding of groups of atoms named as quantum dots, currently utilised to launch colour in flat screens, light emitting diode (LED) lamps and devices that support surgeons see blood vessels in tumours.
The prize-awarding academy said the scientists had “added colour to nanotechnology” – when matter is utilised on an atomic or molecular level in manufacturing – and that their findings held wonderful capacity in several fields. “Researchers have their opinion that in the future they could be giving to flexible electronics, tiny sensors, thinner solar cells and encrypted quantum communication,” the academy conveyed in a statement.
The more than century-old prize is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and is worth 11 million Swedish crowns ($1 million). On Wednesday, the academy seemed to have inadvertently printed the names of the three scientists before the official declaration. Questioned whilst a press conference how he reacted to know about the news of his award, Bawendi said by phone from the United States: “very astonished, sleepy, shocked, unexpected and extremely honoured.
” One of the “amusing and weird properties” of quantum dots is that they make unique coloured lights, relying on the particle size, whilst keeping the atomic structure unchanged, said Johan Aqvist, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry.