Nobel Prize 2016 in Chemistry

3 Makers of World’s Smallest Machines Awarded Nobel Prize in Chemistry:





The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2016 was awarded jointly to Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Sir J. Fraser Stoddart and Bernard L. Feringa "for the design and synthesis of molecular machines".





Three pioneers in the development of nanomachines, made of moving molecules, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry on Wednesday.


Molecular machines, the world’s smallest mechanical devices, may eventually be used to create new materials, sensors and energy storage systems, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said in announcing the prize.


“In terms of development, the molecular motor is at the same stage as the electric motor was in the 1830s, when scientists displayed various spinning cranks and wheels, unaware that they would lead to electric trains, washing machines, fans and food processors,” the academy said.


The three scientists — Jean-Pierre Sauvage, J. Fraser Stoddart and Bernard L. Feringa — will share equally in the prize of 8 million Swedish kronor, or about $930,000.

Jean-Pierre Sauvage:




Born: 21 October 1944, Paris, France


Affiliation at the time of the award: University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France


Prize motivation: "for the design and synthesis of molecular machines"

Prize share: 1/3

Sir J. Fraser Stoddart:




Born: 24 May 1942, Edinburgh, United Kingdom


Affiliation at the time of the award: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA


Prize motivation: "for the design and synthesis of molecular machines"

Prize share: 1/3


Bernard L. Feringa:



Born: 18 May 1951, Barger-Compascuum, the Netherlands


Affiliation at the time of the award: University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands


Prize motivation: "for the design and synthesis of molecular machines"

Prize share: 1/3