Daily Current Affairs

Nobel in Chemistry 2023 (GS Paper 3, Science and Technology)

Why in news?

• The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2023 to Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus and Alexei I. Ekimov for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots.
• The nanoparticles are so tiny that their size determines their properties. These smallest components of nanotechnology now spread their light from televisions and LED lamps, and can also guide surgeons when they remove tumour tissue, among many other things.

 

Details:

• While Alexei Ekimov succeeded in creating size-dependent quantum effects in coloured glass, Columbia University's Louis Brus was the first scientist in the world to prove size-dependent quantum effects in particles floating freely in a fluid.
• Meanwhile, Moungi Bawendi of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology revolutionised the chemical production of quantum dots.
• The announcement is part of Alfred Nobel's will that specifically mentioned Chemistry as one of the key categories.

 

What are Quantum Dots?

• Quantum dots, often referred to as "artificial atoms," are semiconductor nanocrystals that exhibit remarkable quantum mechanical properties.
• Unlike traditional materials, the size of quantum dots plays a pivotal role in determining their electronic and optical characteristics. This size-dependent behaviour is a direct result of quantum confinement, a phenomenon that occurs at the nanoscale.
• Quantum dots are typically composed of elements from the periodic table's groups II-VI or III-V, such as cadmium selenide (CdSe) or indium arsenide (InAs). Their size can be precisely controlled during synthesis, allowing scientists to tailor their properties for various applications.

 

Applications:

• Quantum dots have made significant strides in the field of chemistry. Their unique optical properties, including tunable fluorescence, make them invaluable tools for labeling and tracking molecules within biological systems.
• Researchers use quantum dots as fluorescent probes to visualize cellular processes at an unprecedented level of detail.
• Moreover, quantum dots have revolutionised the world of sensors and detection. Their sensitivity to changes in the surrounding environment, such as temperature or pH, has led to the development of highly accurate and responsive sensors. These sensors find applications in environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and industrial quality control, among others.
• The potential for quantum dots in quantum computing lies in their ability to trap and manipulate single electrons, enabling the creation of stable qubits.
• This development could lead to computing systems that far surpass the capabilities of classical computers, with applications ranging from cryptography to simulating complex quantum systems.
• Their use is also being explored in high-efficiency solar cells, enhancing the brightness and colour accuracy of displays, and even in the development of quantum dot-based LEDs for next-generation lighting solutions.

 

Nobel Prize in Chemistry:

• In 2022, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was jointly awarded to Carolyn Bertozzi, Morten Meldal, and K. Barry Sharpless for their groundbreaking work in the development of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry.
• Their contributions have significantly advanced the field of chemistry, demonstrating the transformative power of scientific innovation.
• Of the 191 laureates who have received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, eight are women, reflecting a gradual increase in the recognition of female scientists' contributions to the field.
• The first woman to receive the award was Marie Curie in 1911, who did pioneering research on radioactivity.

 

How has Nagorno Karabakh standoff ended?

(GS Paper 2, International Relation)

Why in news?

• Recently, Azerbaijan claimed full control over the contentious Nagorno-Karabakh region after local forces, mostly Armenians, agreed to disarm and disband.
• While the disputed region is home to a majority population of ethnic Armenians and an Azeri minority, it is internationally recognised as a part of Azerbaijan.

What happened?

• A fresh round of violence broke out in September when Azerbaijan launched an attack against ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh.
• The fighting lasted one day, and a ceasefire was announced a day later.

 

What is the history of the conflict?

• Nagorno-Karabakh is located within the international borders of Azerbaijan. It is in the South Caucasus region between eastern Europe and western Asia, spanning the southern part of the Caucasus mountains that roughly includes modern-day Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
• The conflict between Azeris and Armenians goes back a century, when the Ottomans attacked the South Caucasus during World War I with the help of Azeris.
• They targeted ethnic Armenians during this attack, and the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia descended into a full-blown war in 1920. This war incorporated the region into the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
• Soon after, both countries became part of the Soviet Republic, and Nagorno-Karabakh was made an autonomous Oblast (administrative region) in Azerbaijan’s territory.
• When the Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991, full-scale fighting again broke out between the countries as Armenian rebels declared Nagorno-Karabakh an independent territory. The war lasted till 1994 and killed around 30,000 people.
• In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia entered a ceasefire brokered by Russia, but international borders for the countries were not demarcated.
• A four-day war again broke out between the two countries in 2016, with no resolution being arrived at.

 

What happened in 2020?

• In 2020, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev launched an offensive to take Nagorno-Karabakh back, leading the country into a fierce war with Armenia that lasted six weeks and killed more than 2,000 people.
• The Azeri forces attacked Armenian defences and took back 40% of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan was backed by Turkey, and while Armenia’s ally Russia did little to support Armenia, it helped broker a ceasefire.
• However, despite the ceasefire, Azerbaijan did not give up attempts to capture Nagorno-Karabakh.
• In December 2022, it blockaded the Lachin Corridor, the main road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and the rest of the world, adding to the economic misery of the region. The road was blocked under the pretext of environmental concerns.

 

How did Azerbaijan capture the area?

• Experts believe that Turkey had a big role to play in the latest developments in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Turkey, however, denied any direct involvement in Azerbaijan’s offensive.
• Russia’s absence in the Caucasus is owed to its war in Ukraine.
• As retaliation for Russia’s lack of help over the last few years, Armenia voted to join the International Criminal Court (ICC) despite Russia’s warnings (the ICC has issued a warrant for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin).
• Over 1,00,000 ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, have fled to Armenia. The exodus has triggered a massive humanitarian crisis.