ICNAN '25

Dr. Moungi Bawendi

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (2023)

Professor Moungi G. Bawendi is a distinguished Lester Wolfe Professor and Advisor for the Minor in Energy Studies, MIT Energy Initiative at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is internationally acclaimed for his pioneering contributions to the synthesis and development of quantum dots, a class of nanoscale semiconducting crystals with remarkable optical and electronic properties. For his seminal work in this field, he was awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, alongside Louis E. Brus and Alexey Ekimov, for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots. Bawendi began his academic journey at Harvard University, earning an A.B. in 1982 and an A.M. in 1983. He went on to complete his Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Chicago in 1988, under the mentorship of Karl Freed and Takeshi Oka. His doctoral research encompassed both theoretical polymer physics and experimental studies on the H₃⁺ ion, which played a key role in unravelling the emission spectra of Jupiter. A transformative moment in Bawendi’s early career came during a summer research program at Bell Labs, where he was introduced to the emerging field of quantum dots by Louis E. Brus. Following his Ph.D., he returned to Bell Labs as a postdoctoral researcher, working closely with Brus before joining the faculty at MIT in 1990. He was promoted to full professor in 1996. In 1993, Bawendi, along with his doctoral students David J. Norris and Christopher B. Murray, revolutionized nanomaterials research by developing the hot-injection synthesis method. This technique enabled the controlled, reproducible, and scalable production of quantum dots with uniform size and high optical quality. By precisely tuning their size, researchers could manipulate the optical and electronic characteristics of quantum dots, paving the way for their use in a wide array of applications including light-emitting diodes (LEDs), solar cells, lasers, photodetectors, chemical biology, biomedical imaging. Over the years, Professor Bawendi has emerged as one of the most cited chemists in the world and a leading authority in nanoscience. His contributions have not only advanced fundamental science but also fueled innovation across multiple industries. His numerous accolades reflect his impact and influence: • Sloan Research Fellowship (1994) • Nobel Signature Award for Graduate Education in Chemistry by the American Chemical Society (1997) • Sackler Prize in Physical Chemistry of Advanced Materials (2001) • Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award (2006) • ACS Award in Colloid and Surface Chemistry (2010) • SEMI Award for North America (2011) • Clarivate Citation Laureate in Chemistry (2020) • Medal of Honor from Tunis University (2023) He has also been elected to several prestigious academic societies: • Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2003) • Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2004) • Member of the National Academy of Sciences (2007) Prof. Moungi Bawendi’s trailblazing research continues to inspire a generation of scientists and drive technological progress. His legacy is defined not only by scientific excellence but also by a profound impact on how nanomaterials are understood and applied in the modern world.,