Welch Award honors pioneer of femtochemistry

June 1, 1997
Ahmed H. Zewail of the California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, CA) received the 1997 Robert A. Welch Award in chemistry. The Welch Foundation presents the $300,000 annual award to recognize outstanding contributions to chemistry for the betterment of humankind. Zewail uses ultrafast techniques to probe chemical reactions as they occur in real time. "Dr. Zewail has given birth to a new era in chemistry," said Richard J. V. Johnson, Welch Foundation chairman. "His novel applications of techn

Welch Award honors pioneer of femtochemistry

Ahmed H. Zewail of the California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, CA) received the 1997 Robert A. Welch Award in chemistry. The Welch Foundation presents the $300,000 annual award to recognize outstanding contributions to chemistry for the betterment of humankind. Zewail uses ultrafast techniques to probe chemical reactions as they occur in real time. "Dr. Zewail has given birth to a new era in chemistry," said Richard J. V. Johnson, Welch Foundation chairman. "His novel applications of technology have allowed scientists, for the first time, to really see what is happening at the molecular level."

"Understanding molecular behavior is the prerequisite to understanding just about anything else in our chemical and biological universe. How atoms and molecules behave as chemical reactions unfold is the core of femtochemistry," commented Zewail. "I am greatly honored that our contribution has been recognized by the Welch Foundation. I am equally pleased that the efforts of my students, postdoctoral fellows, and colleagues have made it possible for femtochemistry to reach out across such diverse areas of science and technology throughout the world." Zewail is an editorial adviser for Laser Focus World.

Sponsored Recommendations

March 31, 2025
Enhance your remote sensing capabilities with Chroma's precision-engineered optical filters, designed for applications such as environmental monitoring, geospatial mapping, and...
March 31, 2025
Designed for compatibility with a wide range of systems, Chroma's UV filters are engineered to feature high transmission, superior out-of-band blocking, steep edge transitions...
March 31, 2025
Discover strategies to balance component performance and system design, reducing development time and costs while maximizing efficiency.
March 31, 2025
Explore the essential role of optical filters in enhancing Raman spectroscopy measurements including the various filter types and their applications in improving signal-to-noise...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!