Ahmed H. Zewail
Ahmed H. Zewail
Egyptian-American Nobel Laureate and Scientist
Full Name and Common Aliases
Ahmed Hassan Zewail was born as Ahmed Hassan Al-Beheiry on November 26, 1946. He later adopted the surname "Zewail" in honor of his mother's family.
Birth and Death Dates
November 26, 1946 – August 2, 2016
Nationality and Profession(s)
Egyptian-American
Nobel Laureate (Physics, 1999)
Scientist, chemist, and physicist
Zewail was a renowned scientist who made groundbreaking contributions to the field of chemistry. His work on the dynamics of chemical reactions using ultrafast spectroscopy earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1999.
Early Life and Background
Born in Damanhur, Egypt, Zewail grew up in a family of modest means. His father was a schoolteacher who encouraged his children to pursue education as a means to improve their lives. Zewail's early interest in science was fostered by his parents' support for his curiosity and love for learning.
Zewail began his academic journey at the Egyptian Military Academy, where he studied physics and mathematics. He later transferred to Ain Shams University in Cairo, where he earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry and graduated with honors.
Major Accomplishments
Ultrafast Spectroscopy: Zewail developed a technique called "femtochemistry," which allowed scientists to study chemical reactions on a timescale of femtoseconds (10^-15 seconds). This breakthrough enabled researchers to understand the dynamics of chemical reactions and their applications in various fields, including chemistry, physics, and biology.
Nobel Prize: In 1999, Zewail was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on ultrafast spectroscopy. His achievement marked a significant milestone in the history of science, recognizing the importance of understanding chemical reactions at the molecular level.Notable Works or Actions
Zewail's work had far-reaching implications for various fields, including chemistry, physics, and biology. Some of his notable contributions include:
Development of Femtochemistry: Zewail's work on ultrafast spectroscopy led to the development of femtochemistry, a field that enables researchers to study chemical reactions on an atomic scale.
Advancements in Materials Science: Zewail's research on chemical reactions and their dynamics has led to significant advancements in materials science, including the development of new materials with unique properties.Impact and Legacy
Zewail's legacy extends beyond his scientific contributions. He was a dedicated educator and mentor who inspired generations of scientists around the world. His commitment to education and scientific excellence earned him numerous awards and recognition, including:
Nobel Prize: Zewail's Nobel Prize in Chemistry marked a significant achievement for science and humanity.
Egyptian National Order of the Grand Collar: In 2011, Zewail was awarded the Egyptian National Order of the Grand Collar by President Hosni Mubarak for his contributions to science and education.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Zewail's quotes and words are widely remembered due to his insightful perspective on science, education, and humanity. Some notable quotes from Zewail include:
"Science is a gift that we must share with others."
* "Education is the key to success."
His commitment to spreading knowledge and promoting scientific literacy has inspired countless individuals around the world.
Quotes by Ahmed H. Zewail
Ahmed H. Zewail's insights on:
If you like, there is a Guinness time. The reason for that it's fundamental. It is not that we have to keep shortening the time. It turns out all molecular and biological systems have speeds of the atoms move inside them, the fastest possible speeds are determined by their molecular vibrations and this speeds is about a kilometre per second.
I thought in my Nobel Lecture I pointed that I was delighted that the Swedish Academy of Science did not quote anything about my current work right now, because the current work that my group is focusing on is actually both the time resolve electrons and possibly x-rays to be able to get the architecture of these molecules, the molecular structures themselves, of very complex biological systems. That's the ultimate goal.
I am not one of the new media experts working all the time with my computers and the PowerPoint's and things of that sort. So, I'm an old fashioned still in this regard but these are the moment where I really can be creative, if I am, to be left alone with just a book and piece of paper and to be thinking.
I think the Nobel Prize helps for a number of reasons. Number one, if I can be frank, there is these people will feel by getting a Nobel Prize that I'm one of them, that it is possible to contribute on the world map of science and technology. And the other thing also which I'm hoping for is that the government in Egypt is willing and interested in promoting science and technology and this is an ideal time now to be able to do something.
I built on the efforts of a previous scientist, others will build on the work I'm doing and if I look at the whole scope from chemistry to biology to physics, it's just the list is too long to mention just one and it's not fair to the others.
For me to sit down here, even as a Nobel Laureate and make a prediction about which science I think that will be a mistake.
![Scientists contribute in a variety of ways and I don't think I can singular one even including [Albert] Einstein, that I can say that he's the best. We don't work like the best basketball player and the best musician and so on. Science is a collective effort.](/_vercel/image?url=https:%2F%2Flakl0ama8n6qbptj.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fquotes%2Fquote-2817834.png&w=1536&q=100)
Scientists contribute in a variety of ways and I don't think I can singular one even including [Albert] Einstein, that I can say that he's the best. We don't work like the best basketball player and the best musician and so on. Science is a collective effort.
When they called me with the Nobel call from Secretary General of the Swedish Academy it was twenty minutes to six and he said well that was well hope I'm not disturbing you but I am the Secretary General of the Swedish Academy. Of course you can imagine I was frozen in time when he said that but then he made a very famous statement, something to the effect that this is the last 20 minutes of peace of your life.
I do feel quite strongly about this that probably one of the things that unfortunately this age now to get a Nobel Prize is to really use part of it to help the young people get excited about science.