Striving towards Excellence

-Karthik Gurumurthy

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was  awarded to three scientists who all made significant contributions to the field of molecular machines:

• Jean-Pierre Sauvage: French, earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Strasbourg in 1971. He continues to work as Emeritus Professor at the University of Strasbourg.
• Sir J. Fraser Stoddart: British, obtained his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Cambridge in 1970. He currently serves as Professor of Chemistry at Northwestern University.
• Bernard L. Feringa: Dutch, received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Groningen in 1978. He continues to hold his position as Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Groningen.

Their Contributions:

These three laureates were jointly recognized for their groundbreaking work on designing and synthesizing molecular machines, the smallest machines ever created. These machines, built from molecules, can perform specific tasks when triggered by light or other stimuli. Their research opened a new frontier in nanoscience and holds immense potential for future applications in various fields.

• Sauvage pioneered the synthesis of interlocked molecules, forming the structural basis for molecular machines.
• Stoddart focused on building and controlling the movement of molecular machines, demonstrating their potential for performing useful tasks.
• Feringa developed light-driven molecular motors, adding a new dimension of control and functionality to these miniature machines.

Their collective work on molecular machines has laid the foundation for a new era of nanotechnology and holds immense promise for developing revolutionary technologies in medicine, materials science, and beyond.