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Nobel Prize in chemistry given to three scientists for building 'molecular machines'

05 October 2016 12:51 (UTC +04:00)

Baku – APA. Three scientists have been awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry for building the tiniest machines in the world, The Independent reported.

Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Fraser Stoddart and Bernard Feringa won the prize for their work on the "design and synthesis of molecular machines", the Nobel judges said.

That work involves creating the kinds of machines that would normally be used by people – similar to engines, cars or coffee grinders. But instead they are measured at the size of nanometers, built out of molecules and much smaller than a human hair.

The work towards such miniaturised machines began in 1983, when new laureate Jean-Pierre Sauvage succeeded in linking two molecules in a chain.

That is the basic requirement of such a machine, since it allows two parts to move relative to each other.

Further work was done by the three new laureates on making those machines more controllable and useful. The work has led to a molecular motor that rotated a glass cylinder that was 10,000 times bigger than the actual motor and has also led to the development of a nanocar.