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  • Oct 05, 2023
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Trio wins chemistry Nobel for work on quantum dots

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  • Tags: #quantamdots #noble #chemistry #currentaffairs #upsc.

 Why in the News?

  • Recently Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced winners for noble prize 2023.

Three American scientists have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their groundbreaking work on quantum dots, minuscule particles with diameters spanning just a few atoms. This research has led to significant advancements in various fields, including electronics and medical imaging.

The Laureates and Their Contributions

  • Moungi Bawendi (MIT), Louis Brus (Columbia University), and Alexei Ekimov (Nanocrystals Technology Inc.) are the honored recipients of this prestigious award.
  • They are recognized for their pioneering efforts in the field of quantum dots, particles that emit intensely colored light.

 Quantum Dots: Bright Lights in Everyday Life

  • Quantum dots are nanoparticles known for their ability to produce vibrant blue, red, or green light when exposed to illumination.
  • The color they emit depends on the size of the particles, a phenomenon stemming from the unique behavior of electrons within confined spaces.
  • These dots have found applications in various technologies, including television screens, LED lamps, and medical devices.

The Road to Discovery

  • Though physicists had theorized the color-changing properties of quantum dots since the 1930s, it took nearly five decades to create controlled-sized quantum dots in laboratory settings.
  • Alexei Ekimov and Louis Brus played crucial roles in the early stages of this technology, while Moungi Bawendi’s work revolutionized the production of high-quality quantum dots, making them suitable for practical applications.

Real-World Impact

  • Judy Giordan, President of the American Chemical Society, emphasized the importance of this recognition, as it reflects chemistry’s role in creating novel structures and solving real-world problems.
  • Quantum dots have the potential to make substantial contributions to various sectors, benefiting both people and the planet.

Premature Leak Raises Questions

  • The announcement of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was marred by an unusual incident when Swedish media prematurely revealed the laureates’ names, hours before the official announcement.
  • The leak was attributed to an accidental early release of a news statement by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Nobel Committee’s Response

  • Hans Ellegren, the academy’s secretary-general, expressed regret over the incident and stated that an investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the leak.
  • The Nobel Prize nomination process typically involves nominations from university professors and scholars worldwide, followed by confidential deliberations by committees.

Laureates’ Reactions

  • Moungi Bawendi expressed his surprise and honor upon learning about his Nobel Prize, emphasizing his initial focus on basic scientific exploration.
  • Louis Brus, a professor emeritus at Columbia University, highlighted his hope for practical applications when he began his research on quantum dots.

Notable Nobel Prizes in 2023

  • The Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Anne L’Huillier, Pierre Agostini, and Ferenc Krausz for their groundbreaking work on the ultra-fast behavior of spinning electrons.
  • Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their contributions to mRNA vaccine development for COVID-19.

Nobel Prize

  • The Nobel Prize season is halfway through, with upcoming announcements in literature, peace, and economics.
  • The prize money was increased to 11 million kronor (about $1 million) this year, and winners will receive an 18-carat gold medal and a diploma during the December award ceremonies.
  • The journey towards understanding and harnessing the potential of quantum dots has been a long and challenging one.
  • Early pioneers like Ekimov and Brus laid the foundation, while Bawendi’s contributions led to the production of high-quality quantum dots suitable for practical applications.
  • Their combined efforts have paved the way for innovations that hold the promise of benefiting both society and the environment.

 

Noble prize

History

– The Nobel Prize was established through the will of Alfred Nobel, a versatile figure known as an inventor, entrepreneur, scientist, poet, and dramatist.

– Nobel left the majority of his fortune to create prizes in five categories: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace.

– The prizes were to be awarded to those who had conferred the greatest benefit to humankind during the preceding year.

– Alfred Nobel held 355 patents and is notably recognized for inventing dynamite.

– The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901, and they have been presented annually since then, with a few exceptions during World War I and World War II.

– The Nobel Day, observed on 10 December each year, commemorates Alfred Nobel’s death and serves as the day for presenting the Nobel Prizes to laureates.

– In 1968, the Sveriges Riksbank established the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.

– Nobel laureates receive a Nobel Prize diploma, a medal, and a document specifying the prize amount, which currently stands at 10 million Swedish krona or approximately $900,000.

– The Nobel Prize can be shared by up to three individuals, or in the case of the Peace Prize, it can also be awarded to organizations.

– While the Nobel Prize cannot be awarded posthumously, a recipient who dies after the prize announcement may still receive it.

– Alfred Nobel designated Swedish institutions to be responsible for selecting Nobel laureates, except for the Peace Prize, which is decided by a committee elected by the Norwegian Parliament.

– The Nobel medals cannot be revoked, as per Alfred Nobel’s will and the statutes of the Nobel Foundation.

– To become a Nobel Prize laureate, one must be nominated by an eligible nominator, with self-nomination being prohibited. Nomination is typically by invitation only.

– Malala Yousafzai, who received the Peace Prize in 2014 at the age of 17, is the youngest Nobel Laureate.

– John B. Goodenough, honored with the Chemistry Prize in 2019, holds the record as the oldest recipient at 97 years old.

– Marie Curie is the only woman to have been honored twice, receiving the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and the Prize in Chemistry in 1911.

– The institutions responsible for selecting Nobel Prize laureates include The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Karolinska Institute, The Swedish Academy, and a committee elected by the Norwegian Parliament for the Nobel Peace Prize.

 

Quantum Dots Overview

· Electron “Jails”: Quantum dots are tiny structures that serve as electron traps, allowing the harnessing of quantum effects exhibited by electrons.

· Color Emission: Depending on the quantum dot’s size, electrons can absorb energy and emit light of specific colors, forming the basis for their unique properties.

· Nano-Sized Particles: Quantum dots are nanosized in all three dimensions, resembling artificial atoms with a fixed number of confined electrons.

· Nanophotonics: Quantum dots’ interaction with light has led to the development of nanophotonics, exploring their intriguing properties.

Sources: Indian Express

Mains Question

“Discuss the significant contributions of quantum dots in modern technology and their potential impact on various industries, as highlighted in the recent Nobel Prize in Chemistry.”