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Science Saturday: The 2023 Nobel Prize awards and asteroid exploration
Updated 16:23, 14-Oct-2023
Tech It Out
02:39

2023 Chemistry Nobel Prize

The 2023 Chemistry Nobel Prize goes to three scientists who developed quantum dots. They are Russian Alexei Ekimov, American Louis Brus, and Paris-born Moungi Bawendi. Quantum dots are an artificially-created collection of semiconducting nanoparticles that create color when exposed to light. They are often used in electronic devices like television screens, as well as for medical imaging to guide surgeons. The winners will share a prize worth over $1 million. 

2023 Physics Nobel Prize 

The Nobel Prize in Physics goes to three scientists for illuminating electrons. They are French Pierre Agostini, Hungarian-Austrian Ferenc Krausz and French-Swedish Anne L'Huillier. They are recognized for their research using ultra quick light flashes to enable the study of electrons inside atoms and molecules. They will share a prize of over $1 million. 

2023 Medical Nobel Prize

And the Nobel Prize in Medicine goes to a pair of scientists behind the mRNA COVID vaccines. They are Professors Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman who will share the prize of over $1 million. They developed the technology that led to the creation of the mRNA COVID vaccines, which are given to millions of people to protect them against COVID-19. The same mRNA technology is now being researched for other diseases, including cancer. 

Asteroid exploration

NASA's next mission is to study a metal-rich asteroid. The Psyche spacecraft, named after the asteroid, was launched successfully from the Kennedy Space Center on Friday. It aims to reveal the object's nature, composition and evolution. It is the first-of-its-kind mission, which will help scientists learn more about the formation of rocky bodies in our solar system. 

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