Professor Moungi G. Bawendi, an inspiration in the field of chemistry and nanotechnology, visited Chulalongkorn University on January 24 to discuss his quantum dot discovery that won him the Nobel Prize. Professor Bawendi explained his groundbreaking research, which not only brought him fame worldwide but also the world renowned Nobel Prize, in his talk.
Moungi G. Bawendi, born and raised in Paris, France, has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of nanotechnology. He went to Harvard University to study his undergraduate years and then the University of Chicago where he was under the mentorship of Professor Karl Freed. His academic achievements took him from learning in laboratories to landing a job in the well renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (also known as MIT). His remarkable journey in the scientific realm has led to groundbreaking discoveries, particularly in the realm of quantum dots nanoscale semiconductor particles that exhibit unique optical and electronic properties.
Joining the faculty at MIT in 1990, Professor Bawendi’s contributions and career exceeded as he became the “Lester Wolfe Professor” of Chemistry. His contributions to the synthesis of quantum dots earned him a place with the most prestigious and influential scientist in our time. In 2023, Bawendi was awarded the Nobel prize in Chemistry alongside Louis Brus and Alexei Ekimov for their work in quantum dots. Quantum dots are semiconductor particles that are only a few nanometers in size, they show unique optical properties because of their quantum mechanical properties. Bawendi’s research has been vital in developing the chemical synthesis of methods that enhance the stability and application of these nanoparticles. The breakthrough of this research has led to many applications and has transformed the industry of chemistry. High resolution QLED displayed the advantages of biomedical imaging techniques. His work not only paved the way for scientists in chemistry but also created a broader pathway for uses of solar energy and quantum computing.
During his lecture at Chulalongkorn University, Professor Bawendi shared his personal but inspiring memories about his life and the challenges he faced. Student’s were captivated by his process of refining the quantum dots and his endless commitment to science. Towards the end of the lectures, the Q&A session really showed how the impact of his work, as students around the whole lecture room looked at him in awe and with hope, fueling the future generations of scientists with hope to push their boundaries in innovation.