Ahmed Zewail and the Nobel Prize

Ahmed Zewail and the Nobel Prize

Dr. Ahmed Zewail, an esteemed Egyptian scientist, made history as the first Egyptian to be awarded the Nobel Prize in the sciences, specifically in Chemistry, in 1999. He is recognized as the third Egyptian overall to receive a Nobel Prize. Zewail was honored for his groundbreaking and innovative research in femtochemistry, a branch of physical chemistry that examines chemical reactions on extremely short time scales. He successfully recorded observations related to atomic motion on the femtosecond scale, equivalent to 10^-15 seconds, earning him the moniker “Father of Femtochemistry.”

Dr. Zewail’s journey toward winning the Nobel Prize was fueled by his immense passion for science, practical research, innovation, and a relentless desire for excellence. He was known to spend long hours in his laboratory in the United States, demonstrating his dedication to scientific inquiry. During his Nobel acceptance speech, he quoted the renowned writer Taha Hussein, saying, “The end begins when researchers for knowledge become satisfied with their achievements.”

Ahmed Zewail’s Early Life

Born on February 26, 1946, in Damanhour, the capital of the Beheira Governorate located on the banks of the Rosetta branch of the Nile, Zewail exhibited a strong affinity for chemistry and mathematics from an early age. His childhood experiments in understanding material transformations led his family to proudly label his bedroom door with “Doctor.”

Ahmed Zewail’s Education

Zewail completed his high school education in Damanhour before enrolling at Alexandria University, where he studied chemistry and graduated with honors in 1967. Shortly after, he began working as an assistant lecturer at the university while continuing his research to earn a master’s degree, which he completed in just a year and a half.

Following a stint at an oil company in Alexandria, Zewail moved to the United States to pursue his doctoral studies, encouraged by his professors. He secured a fellowship to attend the University of Pennsylvania, earning his Ph.D. in 1974. He then spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Berkeley.

Ahmed Zewail at Caltech

Zewail joined the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 1976, where he progressed from an assistant professor to a full professor by 1982. Notably, he held the Linus Pauling Chair in Chemistry in 1997 and was appointed as a professor of physics in 1995. Additionally, Zewail served as the director of the Physical Biology Center for Ultra-fast Science and Technology at Caltech.

Achievements of Ahmed Zewail

Ahmed Zewail continued his scientific pursuits well beyond receiving the Nobel Prize, driven by his passion for research and the advancement of knowledge. Below are some of his most significant contributions across various fields:

• He was the pioneer in revealing atomic dynamics during chemical reactions through ultra-fast laser techniques, which demonstrated the breaking and forming of bonds at the atomic scale.
• Zewail improved the applications of electron diffraction in the gas phase and transmission electron microscopy, enhancing temporal resolution by tenfold while maintaining spatial resolution at the atomic level.
• He designed a four-dimensional (4D) ultra-fast electron microscope to enhance understanding of the complexities of physical, chemical, and biological transformations.
• From 2009 to 2013, he served as a member of the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, providing counsel to the President and Vice President of the United States on various issues related to science and technology.
• He successfully raised funds to establish the Zewail City of Science and Technology in the suburbs of Cairo.
• Zewail played a pivotal role in shaping the L’Oréal-UNESCO initiative to award women in science.
• He delivered over 500 lectures at numerous universities worldwide.

Significance of Ahmed Zewail’s Discoveries

Thanks to the work of Ahmed Zewail, scientists can now observe actual atomic movements during transitional states of reactions. He invented the world’s fastest camera, capable of capturing clear images and intricate details of these states. Zewail’s discoveries extend beyond chemistry, influencing the broader fields of biology, electronics, and human genomics, inspiring new theories and applications across multiple disciplines.

Ahmed Zewail’s Publications

Zewail authored significant works, including 14 books and approximately 600 articles, addressing not only scientific topics but also global issues. Notable publications include:

• A Journey Through Time: Life’s Path to the Nobel Prize.
• The Age of Science.
• Dialogue of Civilizations.
• Reflections on Global Affairs: Peace and Politics.
• Article: The Future of Science in Egypt: A Personal Vision.
• Article: The Disorder of the New World: Can Science Help the Poor?
• Article: Science and Technology in the Twenty-first Century.

Honors and Awards of Ahmed Zewail

Ahmed Zewail’s life is adorned with numerous global awards and recognitions. He received over 100 international honors, including honorary degrees from universities worldwide. Here are some of the most notable accolades:

• Honorary Degrees: Zewail earned several honorary degrees, including:
  • Master’s degree from the University of Oxford in 1991.
  • Doctorate from the American University in Cairo in 1993.
  • Doctorate from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium in 1997.
  • Doctorate from the University of Lausanne in Switzerland in 1997.
• Honors: Zewail received honors from various awards, including:
  • King Faisal International Prize in Science in 1989.
  • Wolf Prize in Chemistry in 1993.
  • Order of the Republic First Class in Science and Arts in Egypt in 1995.
  • Robert Welch Award in Chemistry in 1997.
• Awards: Zewail has received several prestigious awards, including:
  • Kami and Henry Dreyfus Teachers and Researchers Award (1979-1985).
  • Alexander von Humboldt Award for Senior Scientists in the U.S. in 1983.
  • National Science Foundation’s Award for Creative Research in 1984, 1988, 1993.
  • Peter Debye Award in 1996 and the Bright Wilson Award in 1997, both from the American Chemical Society.
  • Top American Leaders Award from the Washington Post and Harvard University for his leadership in global affairs.
  • Albert Einstein World Award of Science in 2006.
• Medals and Distinctions: Key metallic honors received by Zewail include:
  • Franklin Medal from the Franklin Institute in 1998.
  • Nile Medal in Egypt in 1999, following his Nobel win, celebrated with the issuance of a postage stamp featuring his image.
  • Davy Medal from the Royal Society in 2011.
  • Priestly Medal, the highest award from the American Chemical Society in 2011.
  • Order of the Cedars from Lebanon.
  • Tunisian Republic Medal from Tunisia.
  • Legion of Honor and National Order of Merit from France.

It is noteworthy that several international awards were established in Amsterdam, Cairo, Detroit, Trieste, and Washington, bearing Ahmed Zewail’s name. The Ahmed Zewail Foundation, headquartered in Cairo, also offers awards in the fields of arts and sciences while supporting youth to promote knowledge and learning.