Nanotechnology Award

Posted on April 13, 2008 by Michael E. Heintz
It may not be a Nobel Prize, but the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters will announce the first ever science prize for outstanding achievement in nanosciences in May. You'll remember that there was some prior speculation as to a Nobel Prize in nanotechnology, and that it was to be announced at NanoTX'07.  But due to other issues, the announcement never came.  Now, the first recipients of the Kavli Prize, comprising three awards, one each in the field of nanoscience, neuroscience, and astrophysics, will be announced on May 28.  Each award comes with a $1 million prize, similar to the prize money awarded for Nobel recipients.

The nanoscience award will recognize "outstanding achievement in the science and application of the unique physical, chemical, and biological properties of atomic, molecular, macromolecular, and cellular structures and systems that are manifest in the nanometer scale," including "molecular self-assembly, nanomaterials, nanoscale instrumentation, nanobiotechnology, macromolecular synthesis, molecular mechanics, and related topics."

As with the earlier speculation over a Nobel Prize in nanotechnology, it is exciting to see the international recognition nanoscience researchers will receive from the upcoming Kavli Prize.  High visibility awards such as these will encourage continued research and development with regards to nanotechnology while providing positive press to the science and the community as a whole.  I look forward to seeing who the recipients are.
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Nobel Prize in Nanotech? Well, Maybe Not...

Posted on September 18, 2007 by Michael E. Heintz
A few weeks ago I was intrigued (maybe excited?) about the prospect of a new Nobel Prize in Nanotechnology.   Well, as it turns out, my excitement may have been premature.

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.
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Nobel Prize in Nanotechnology...Hmmmmm

Posted on August 30, 2007 by Michael E. Heintz
While this is just a guess, you may see the "Nobel Prize in Nanotechnology" very soon.  Here's what we know:

The Nobel Charitable Trust recently announced it is creating a new Nobel Prize for the first time in 40 years.  The last, and technically unofficial, Prize created was in 1968 as the Nobel Prize in Economics.  While noteworthy in and of itself, it is the place and time of the announcement that is particularly interesting for the nanotechnology community.  You see, the Trust plans to announce the area for the new Prize at nanoTX'07 on October 2, 2007.  Dr. Michael Nobel will represent the Nobel family and Trust to reveal the new Prize.

Although pure speculation on this author's part, I find myself asking, does it make sense to announce a new Prize in an area other than nanotechnology and one of the largest nanotechnology conferences?  We'll all have to tune in on October 2 for the answer, but in the meantime doesn't "Nobel Prize in Nanotechnology" have a nice ring to it?
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