October 09, 2023

A Quantum Leap


A Quantum Leap
Samples of coal-derived graphene quantum dots that glow when exposed to light. Wikimedia Commons, U.S. Department of Energy.

The laureates of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry were revealed in Stockholm on October 4. The list includes American scientists Moungi Bawendi and Louis Brus, as well as Alexey Ekimov, who is Russian-American.

They received the award for their groundbreaking work in developing a technique for producing quantum dots.

Quantum dots are minuscule nanoparticles with quantum phenomena behavior. Their most renowned application is in the field of electronics, where quantum dots can substitute for the conventional light-up material (phosphor) used in electronic displays.

Swedish media outlets broke the news on the morning of October 4 that the Royal Academy of Sciences had inadvertently leaked the names of potential Nobel laureates in chemistry via email several hours ahead of the official announcement. The list in question featured the names of Bawendi, Brus, and Ekimov.  However, the Royal Academy of Sciences swiftly clarified that the final decision regarding the award recipients had not been concluded, emphasizing the need to await the forthcoming official announcement.

The previous Russian Nobel laureate was Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov, who was awarded the Peace Prize in 2021. In the scientific disciplines, Russia celebrated a Nobel Prize win in 2010 when Konstantin Novoselov, in collaboration with Andre Geim, secured the Nobel in physics for their research on graphene.

You Might Also Like

Nobel Flip Flop
  • September 04, 2023

Nobel Flip Flop

The Nobel Foundation canceled Russia’s invitation to the annual awards ceremony in Stockholm.
A Nobel Donation
  • June 28, 2022

A Nobel Donation

The 2021 Russian Nobel Peace Prize winner auctioned his medal off to help displaced Ukrainian children.
Good and Evil Revealed
  • March 28, 2022

Good and Evil Revealed

"This whole situation has clearly revealed good and evil." A powerful interview with Nobel laureate Dmitry Muratov, whose Novaya Gazeta newspaper suspended publication today.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

Life Stories
September 01, 2009

Life Stories

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Moscow and Muscovites
November 26, 2013

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955