Tunisian-American Moungi Bawendi has been announced as one of the winners of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots – tiny particles of matter that emit exceptionally pure light.
The field of quantum dots is related to nanotechnology, and the dots – or man-made crystals – can be as wide as two nanometres, or two billionths of a metre. The dots are sometimes referred to as artificial atoms.
Human blood cells, by comparison, are about 7,000 nanometres wide.
The dots are often used in experimental technology, such as quantum computers, which are used for solving highly complex problems – for example, simulating climate change in a given part of the world or creating advanced materials.
Current applications of the dots involve cutting-edge computer and TV screen displays as well as new ways of mapping cancerous tumours.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences honoured Prof Bawendi’s work which “revolutionised the chemical production of quantum dots, resulting in almost perfect particles”, stating that such high-quality research was necessary for them to be utilised in applications across different fields and disciplines.
Prof Bawendi, who is currently a professor at the Lester Wolfe Department of Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was born in 1961 in Paris.
“My father is Tunisian and my mother is French. I spent my childhood between Paris, Tunis and Nice before eventually moving to the United States when I was 10,” Prof Bawendi said at a press conference held by MIT on Wednesday.
Prof Bawendi’s family first settled in West Lafayette, Indiana, when his father Mohamed Salah, a mathematician, became a professor at Purdue University. Before that, he was a professor at the University of Tunis.
After earning his diploma from West Lafayette Junior-Senior High School, Prof Bawendi went on to pursue his studies at Harvard University, where he finished a master’s degree in chemistry before moving to the University of Chicago, where he finished his doctorate.
In 1982, as a first-year student at Harvard, Prof Bawendi failed his first chemistry exam, receiving the lowest grade in his class - an experience that only pushed him to work harder and persevere.
“You have a setback, but you can persevere and overcome this and learn from your experience, which obviously I did,” Prof Bawendi said.
“I liked what I was doing, and so I learnt how to become successful as a student.”
Prof Bawendi, who has been working for decades on the development of quantum dots for use in different fields, said he would never have imagined that the subject of his research would reach such heights.
“I think 30 years ago, none of us who started the field could have predicted 30 years later we would be where we are today,” Prof Bawendi said.
“It is just amazing to me, if you have really great people working on a brand new field with brand new materials, innovation comes out in directions that you cannot predict.”
His Nobel Prize win has become a source of pride for many in Tunisia.
“It is an absolute honour not only for his [Prof Bawendi's] family but for every aspiring young Tunisian who wants to go beyond what our country has to offer,” one person told Mosaique radio.
Over the past few decades, thousands of Tunisian graduates with dreams of conducting further research have had to leave the country due to a lack of resources.
Higher education is mostly free in Tunisia, but as the Ministry of Higher Education and Technology is dependent on state funds, the worsening economic situation has put expanded research out of reach for many.
“Unfortunately this win is also a reminder of the wasted Tunisian talents who need to look for support and opportunities abroad to find growth in their careers,” the caller added.
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Two-step truce
The UN-brokered ceasefire deal for Hodeidah will be implemented in two stages, with the first to be completed before the New Year begins, according to the Arab Coalition supporting the Yemeni government.
By midnight on December 31, the Houthi rebels will have to withdraw from the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa and Al Saqef, coalition officials told The National.
The second stage will be the complete withdrawal of all pro-government forces and rebels from Hodeidah city, to be completed by midnight on January 7.
The process is to be overseen by a Redeployment Co-ordination Committee (RCC) comprising UN monitors and representatives of the government and the rebels.
The agreement also calls the deployment of UN-supervised neutral forces in the city and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure distribution of aid across the country.
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Blonde
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MATCH INFO
Liverpool 2 (Van Dijk 18', 24')
Brighton 1 (Dunk 79')
Red card: Alisson (Liverpool)
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
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TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 4 (Gundogan 8' (P), Bernardo Silva 19', Jesus 72', 75')
Fulham 0
Red cards: Tim Ream (Fulham)
Man of the Match: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City)
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
