The Nobel Prizes in STEM subjects are a testament to the power of scientific discovery and innovation. They play a vital role in promoting global collaboration and understanding. Laureates from all over the world have come together to work on common challenges, such as climate change and disease. The Nobel Prize, established by Alfred Nobel's visionary legacy, serves as a beacon for recognising and celebrating individuals who have made outstanding strides in their respective fields, be it in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, peace, or economic sciences. They are a reminder that scientific research is essential for solving the world's most pressing problems. They are also a celebration of the human spirit and our capacity for innovation.
Physics -
The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz, and Anne L'Huillier for their ground-breaking work on attosecond physics. Attoseconds are the shortest units of time ever measured, and the laureates' work has allowed one to study the rapidly fast movements of electrons in atoms and molecules. They also developed new ways to generate and measure attosecond pulses of light. These pulses are so short that they can be used to freeze time and capture snapshots of electrons as they move. This has revolutionised the understanding of atomic and molecular physics and has led to new insights into a wide range of phenomena, including photosynthesis, catalysis, and superconductivity.
Agostini discovered a new effect from laser light's interaction with atoms in a gas. This effect, called above-threshold ionisation, allows for the creation of ultrashort light pulses. Krausz demonstrated that attosecond laser pulses can be used to study the motion of electrons inside atoms and molecules in real-time. He also developed new techniques for generating and manipulating attosecond laser pulses, and L'Huillier continued to explore the above-threshold ionisation effect, laying the groundwork for subsequent breakthroughs in attosecond laser science.
The laureates' work has also had a major impact on technology. For example, attosecond pulses of light are now used to develop new types of microscopes and medical imaging devices. They are also being explored for use in quantum computing and other emerging technologies.
Before their work, scientists could only study these processes indirectly, by measuring the energy of electrons after they had interacted with light. However attosecond laser science allows scientists to directly observe how electrons move and change energy in real time.
Chemistry -
For their discovery and development of quantum dots, Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus, and Aleksey Yekimov were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Quantum dots are tiny semiconductor particles that have unique optical and electronic properties. They can be used to create new types of displays, solar cells, and medical devices.
Bawendi, Brus, and Yekimov independently discovered quantum dots in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Bawendi then developed new ways to synthesise and control the properties of quantum dots. This made it possible to produce quantum dots on a large scale and to use them in a wide range of applications. Brus discovered that the optical and electronic properties of quantum dots can be tuned by changing their size and composition. Yekimov observed that the colour of copper chloride nanocrystals changed with their size, which was the first indication that quantum effects were playing a role.
Quantum dots are now used in a variety of commercial products, including televisions, computer monitors, and LED lamps. They are also being studied for use in new types of solar cells, batteries, and medical devices.
Physiology and Medicine -
The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for their groundbreaking work on nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.
mRNA vaccines work by delivering a short strand of mRNA into the body's cells. This strand encodes the instructions for making a protein found on the surface of the virus. The cells then produce this protein, which triggers the immune system to respond and develop immunity to the virus.
Karikó and Weissman discovered that by modifying mRNA, they could make it less likely to be rejected by the immune system. This was a critical breakthrough that made it possible to develop safe and effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.
mRNA vaccines are now being used to protect people from a variety of diseases, including COVID-19, influenza, and malaria. They are also being studied for use in the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
In conclusion, the buzz surrounding Nobel Prize laureates and winners reflects society's deep-seated fascination with groundbreaking achievements and exceptional contributions to humanity. The laureates become symbols of inspiration, embodying the spirit of innovation, perseverance, and the pursuit of knowledge. The Nobel Prize not only acknowledges individual brilliance but also emphasizes the collective impact of human endeavours on global progress. The anticipation and speculation surrounding the announcement of laureates contribute to the excitement, showcasing the public's keen interest in acknowledging and understanding the significant advancements that shape our world.
Picture Credits: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/facts/nobel-prize-facts/
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