The ground-breaking exploration and fusion of quantum dots by a team of two American scientists and one Russian researcher has earned them the esteemed 2023Nobel prize in chemistry . This remarkable achievement has significantly propelled the field of nanotechnology  towards a revolutionary direction.

Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus, and Alexey Ekimov will be collectively rewarded for their breakthrough research on nano-materials, including novel synthesis techniques, which have revolutionized the fields of consumer electronics, biochemistry, and medicine. Thus, the prize will be equally shared amongst these visionary scientists.

Bawendi, a chemist with a mixed cultural heritage of French and Tunisian background, currently works at MIT. Brus, on the other hand, is affiliated with Columbia University, while Ekimov serves as the chief scientist at Nanocrystals Technology in New York.

The academy faced embarrassment when an email leaked to a Swedish newspaper earlier on Wednesday morning, revealing the names of the three individuals. Subsequently, the official announcement was made. Johan Åqvist, the head of the Nobel committee for chemistry, stated that the academy had not yet finalized their decision on the prize winners at the time of the unintentional email. In response to inquiries, he did not eliminate the uncomfortable possibility that other scientists were being considered at that time.

He mentioned that a press release had been issued for reasons that are still unclear. We sincerely apologize for this unfortunate occurrence. The significance lies in the fact that the recipients were not influenced in any manner.

According to Åqvist, the selection of the winners was made during the academy's morning meeting, emphasizing that it holds significance and is not merely a procedural step. According to him, the decision is not considered final until there has been a collective meeting of the entire academy. The confidential process of making precise decisions will only be made public after a period of 50 years, in accordance with the customary practice of the Nobel institution .

Despite the commotion, the laureates remained unaware of the events, as Bawendi revealed that he was awakened by the academy. He expressed being greatly surprised, shocked, drowsy, and deeply honored. He further mentioned that numerous individuals have made significant contributions to the field since its inception. Therefore, I never expected to be the one receiving this award. "We are collaborating as a team."

During Ekimov's trip to Mexico, he was contacted by phone, but Brus remained inaccessible at the time of the official declaration.

Quantum dots possess unique properties that are dictated by their minuscule size. They have extensive application in television screens, LED lamps, and assisting surgeons in precise removal of tumor tissue.

Typically, the characteristics of a substance in chemistry are controlled by its chemical composition. However, when materials are reduced to nano-dimensions, such as quantum dots, their size impacts not only their color but also other characteristics.

While researching colored glass, Ekimov conducted a significant experimental demonstration that confirmed what was previously understood in theory. The color of glass changed based on the duration and temperature of heating when tinted withcopper chloride, as per his observation. X-ray imaging deciphered that the manufacturing process had an impact on the dimensions of minuscule copper chloride crystals formed within the glass. In 1981, he made his groundbreaking finding public in a Soviet scientific journal; however, scientists residing beyond the iron curtain remained largely unaware of his research.

Louis Brus, employed at Bell Laboratories in the United States, was investigating the employment of solar energy to fuel the chemical reactions of minute cadmium sulphide particles suspended in a solution several years later. After some time of leaving the particles on the lab bench, he observed a change in their optical characteristics, leading him to conclude that the particles had increased in size. Additionally, he came to the realization that this phenomenon was a result of a quantum effect that is influenced by the size of the object.

In 1993, Moungi Bawendi transformed the techniques used in the chemical manufacturing of quantum dots, yielding highly precise particles with controllable sizes. This superior manufacturing technique opened doors for its broader utilization in the commercial and medical sectors.

During a press conference, the committee was questioned about their decision to bestow an award upon a scientist from Russia, considering the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. "In determining the prize, our approach entails identifying the critical breakthroughs as well as the key individuals who have made significant contributions to those breakthroughs." The importance of nationality is irrelevant in this context. This aligns with Alfred Nobel's intentions or desires.

Professor Gill Reid, the current leader of the Royal Society of Chemistry, expressed great enthusiasm for the remarkable advancements achieved in the field of quantum dots. This breakthrough exemplifies the versatility of chemistry in offering inventive solutions to overcome various obstacles. These nanoparticles possess immense promise in the development of more compact, swifter, and more intelligent gadgets, which can greatly enhance the effectiveness of solar panels and elevate the vibrancy of your television display.

"Diverse perspectives play a crucial role in advancing scientific knowledge, and this year's award epitomizes this concept. Individuals from various laboratories and countries come together, approaching a problem from unique standpoints," she further emphasized.

Collaboration is an integral part of chemistry, as it is crucial for conducting scientific research and also adds an enjoyable element to the work.