26 February - Ahmed Zewail birth anniversary

 

Ahmed Zewail (1946–2016) was an Egyptian-American scientist, known for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of chemistry, particularly in the area of femtochemistry. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1999 for his work on femtochemistry, which allowed scientists to observe and understand chemical reactions at the femtosecond (10^-15 seconds) timescale.

Here are some key points about Ahmed Zewail:

1. Early Life and Education: Ahmed Hassan Zewail was born on February 26, 1946, in Damanhur, Egypt. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Alexandria before obtaining his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania in 1974.

2. Femtochemistry: Zewail's pioneering work in femtochemistry involved the use of ultrafast laser techniques to observe and understand the dynamics of chemical reactions at the atomic and molecular levels. His breakthroughs allowed scientists to study reactions in unprecedented detail and timescales.

3. Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1999): Zewail was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on femtochemistry, making him the first Egyptian and the first Arab to receive a Nobel Prize in a scientific field.

4. Academic Career: Zewail became a professor at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and held the Linus Pauling Chair in Chemical Physics. He made significant contributions to both teaching and research during his tenure at Caltech.

5. Public Service: In addition to his scientific contributions, Zewail was involved in various public service and diplomatic activities. He served as a science envoy to the Middle East for the U.S. Department of State.

6. Death: Ahmed Zewail passed away on August 2, 2016, at the age of 70.

Ahmed Zewail's work significantly advanced our understanding of chemical reactions, and his contributions to femtochemistry opened up new possibilities for controlling and manipulating chemical processes at the molecular level. His legacy continues to inspire scientists in the field of physical chemistry.