Photo by Zero Grey (Wikimedia Commons) Alfred Nobel Share on Facebook Share on Twitter The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2016 to a group of scientists who were responsible for their design of the world’s tiniest machines on a molecular scale. Jean-Pierre Sauvage of the University of Strasbourg, France, Sir J. Fraser Stoddart of Northwestern University, Illinois, US and Bernard L. Feringa of the University of Groningen, the Netherlands will share the prize for their pioneering work in nanotechnology, according to a BBC News report. Sir J. Fraser Stoddart during a press conference at Northwestern University after the Chemistry Prize was announced./Photo via verified Northwestern University YouTube channel (Screenshot) Half of award money of 8 million Swedish kronor, equivalent to US$ 936,000, will be shared by Sauvage and Stoddart, while the other half will go to Feringa. Bernard L. Feringa of the University of Groningen talking about his work in molecular machines./Photo via verified University of Groningen YouTube channel (Screenshot) Small machines, thinner than a strand of hair According to the press release on the Nobel Prize website, these scientists were able to successfully design the smallest molecular machines, which can be controlled and can do certain tasks whenever energy is added. These machines are so small that they are described to be “a thousand times thinner than a strand of hair,” according to BBC. Some of the applications of this technology include the delivery of medicine at the molecular level as these machines are small and non-invasive when placed inside the human body. This may mean being able to deliver drugs directly to disease-causing cells. Opening up further advances in nanotechnology The scientists’ work also opened up possibilities in nanotechnology. Having constructed machines that have excellent motion control at a microscopic scale, this can be explored and improved upon in the development of new “smart” materials, sensors and energy systems. With the awards for the sciences (Medicine, Physics, Chemistry) already given, only three Nobel Prizes are yet to announced. Other Nobel Prizes to be awarded soon The prestigious Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on October 7, while the Prize for Economic Sciences will be awarded on October 10. The Nobel Prize for Literature announcement is yet to be determined. Watch out for updates on the Nobel Prizes on Pilipinas Popcorn. Read about the Medicine and Physics Prize winners here. Facebook Comments
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