Nobel Prize winner Professor Ben Feringa delivered a guest seminar during a visit to Trinity last month.
In 2016, Feringa was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on molecular motors.
The seminar, which discussed “the art of building small”, was delivered to 250 students from various universities across Dublin.
During the seminar, Feringa reflected on his Nobel Prize win and highlighted the role of creativity and curiosity in scientific advancement.
Head of Trinity’s School of Chemistry Graeme Watson described the seminar as “a tour de force in scientific innovation and creativity”.
“His insights into molecular machines and the role of chemistry in shaping our world were inspiring and thought-provoking,” Watson added.
Prior to the seminar, Feringa also met with graduate students and post-doctoral researchers from the School of Chemistry who got the opportunity to present their research to the Nobel Prize winner.
“The opportunity for the graduate students and early career researchers to present their work to him was an invaluable experience. It was wonderful to see the high level of research and enthusiasm from the students and post-docs at Trinity,” said Chris Batchelor-McAuley, an assistant professor at the School of Chemistry.
Batchelor-McAuley told Trinity News that Feringa demonstrated how “big breakthroughs often start with bold ideas and a willingness to explore the unknown”.
Ferninga shared his 2016 Nobel Prize with Fraser Stoddart and Jean-Pierre Sauvage, for their work in developing “the world’s smallest machines”.
Announcing the prize, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said the awardees have “taken chemistry to a new dimension”.
“2016’s Nobel Laureates in Chemistry have taken molecular systems out of equilibrium’s stalemate and into energy-filled states in which their movements can be controlled. In terms of development, the molecular motor is at the same stage as the electric motor was in the 1830s, when scientists displayed various spinning cranks and wheels, unaware that they would lead to washing machines, fans and food processors. Molecular machines will most likely be used in the development of things such as new materials, sensors and energy storage systems,” the Institution said.
In his official Nobel Lecture in 2016 Feringa discussed the potential of nanotechnology for future scientific development .
