“Acceptance Speech” Frontiers of Knowledge Award 2021 in Basic Sciences

Acceptance speech by A. Paul Alivisatos, winner of the 2021 Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Basic Sciences, who was honored alongside Michael Grätzel for their fundamental contributions to the development of nanomaterials for energy and electronics applications. His pioneering research on semiconductor nanocrystals, known as quantum dots, has made it possible to control the light-emitting properties of these materials, leading to advances in high-resolution displays, biomedical imaging techniques and renewable energy technologies.

Alivisatos explains how the size of nanocrystals determines their physical and chemical properties, from melting temperature to the color of the light they emit. He reviews their applications in biomedical diagnostics and energy-efficient displays, and explores new possibilities, such as light-powered engines and the conversion of solar energy into fue

Acceptance speech by A. Paul Alivisatos, winner of the 2021 Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Basic Sciences, who was honored alongside Michael Grätzel for their fundamental contributions to the development of nanomaterials for energy and electronics applications. His pioneering research on semiconductor nanocrystals, known as quantum dots, has made it possible to control the light-emitting properties of these materials, leading to advances in high-resolution displays, biomedical imaging techniques and renewable energy technologies.

Alivisatos explains how the size of nanocrystals determines their physical and chemical properties, from melting temperature to the color of the light they emit. He reviews their applications in biomedical diagnostics and energy-efficient displays, and explores new possibilities, such as light-powered engines and the conversion of solar energy into fuels. He also highlights the importance of emulating natural processes using artificial nanomaterials to address challenges such as climate change.