The Nobel Prize for Physics 2022 is being shared by three scientists, Alain Aspect, John F Clauser and Anton Zeilinger, for their work on quantum mechanics.
The three conducted a series of experiments on something called entangled quantum states, where two separate particles behave like a single unit. Their pathbreaking results will have implications in the fields of quantum computers, quantum networks and secure quantum encrypted communication. Put simply, quantum computers use quantum mechanics to solve problems too complex for regular computers.
Chemistry
This year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry has gone to three scientists who, through their work, have made a strong case for adopting an alternative approach to producing new complex molecules in the laboratory or industry, which minimises waste and increases overall efficiency.
‘Click Chemistry’ demonstrates its vast potential in the pharmaceutical and other industries.
Physiology
Swedish scientist Svante Paabo won the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries “concerning the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution.
The winner has been credited with transforming the study of human origins after developing approaches to allow for the examination of DNA sequences from archaeological and paleontological remains.
Key achievements include sequencing an entire Neanderthal genome to reveal the link between extinct people and modern humans.
The winner also brought to light the existence of a previously unknown human species called the Denisovans, from a 40,000-year-old fragment of a finger bone discovered in Siberia.
