Nobel Prize in Nanotech? Well, Maybe Not...
Yesterday, the organizers of nanoTX'07 severed all ties with Michael Nobel, the individual who was to make the announcement of the new prize at the upcoming nanotechnology conference. The Nobel Family Society and Nobel Prize Foundation objected to Mr. Nobel's announcement of the "Dr. Michael Nobel Prize" as a "clear misuse of the reputation" of the Nobel Prize. Consequently, nanoTX'07 cut ties with Dr. Nobel, who will now not appear at the conference, and no new prize will be announced.
While the actions taken by both the Nobel Prize Foundation and nanoTX'07 are understandable, it is still disappointing that no new Prize is forthcmoning. The Dr. Michael Nobel Award was to be in the field of "energy solutions," which not only seems to be tailor made for nanotechnology research and advancements, but could address a wider range of research that is important in light of global warming and other energy cost concerns.
But fear not, those researching nanotechnology are still eligible for Nobel prizes, through the traditional routes of physics and chemistry. As nanotechnology continues to grow and develop, I am confident we will see continued recognition of nanotechnology by the Nobel Prize.
Thanks to Barnaby Feder for bringing this development to my attention.
Dr.Michael Nobel never did introduce himself as chairman of the Nobel Family Society which the organizers of Nanotech had stated in their previous press-release.He clearly stated that he was the actual chairman of the Nobel Charitable Trust Foundation(which he in fact is)and proposed to make the announcement of these new awards in that name Dr.Nobel also had pointed out in several mails to the organizers the incorrect information in their initial press-release and asked that corrections were to be made but that was totally ignored by them.As for the $25.000,although a payment may be uncommon in such cases as this this particular amount was intended for the Nobel Charitable Trust Foundation and not for a personal use like media have suggested on different occasions.The fact that he wishes to use his own,personal name for such a cause as this should not in any way be held against him as the NCTF is created and operated in and for a charitable and educational purpose and cause.
Finally,as for the claim made by the Nobel Foundation in sweden that Dr.Nobel did not have the family's support the Nobel Charitable Trust Foundation is created by three members of the board of directors of the Nobel Family Society and one of the founders also is the actual head of the Nobel family which all gives Dr.Michael Nobel a very strong support.
We,the four founders of the Nobel Charitable Trust Foundation feel that alternative energy(as we're all aware that our natural resources will not last forever)and our enviroment is of highest priority in our every-day life and most certainly for the generations to come!!!
Philip Nobel,Gustaf Nobel,Michael Nobel,Peter Nobel.
The Director of the Nobel Foundation and the elected Chairman of the Board of the Nobel Family Society disapproved to the institution of the so called 'Dr. Michael Nobel Award' as well as the Nobel Charitable Trust and Nobel Family Benevolent society.
Who, of the four gentlemen above, claims to be "the actual head of the Nobel family" and on what grounds?