Ben Feringa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ben Feringa
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Ben Feringa in 2017
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Bernard Lucas Feringa
18 May 1951 Barger-Compascuum, Netherlands
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| Nationality | Dutch |
| Alma mater | University of Groningen |
| Known for | Molecular switches/motors, Homogeneous catalysis, stereochemistry, photochemistry |
| Spouse(s) | Betty Feringa |
| Awards | Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2016) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Organic Chemistry Materials Science Nanotechnology Photochemistry |
| Institutions | University of Groningen (1984–present) Royal Dutch Shell (1979–1984) |
| Thesis | Asymmetric oxidation of phenols. Atropisomerism and optical activity (1978) |
| Doctoral advisor | Hans Wijnberg |
Bernard Lucas "Ben" Feringa (born May 18, 1951) is a Dutch scientist who studies organic chemistry. He is an expert in creating tiny machines using molecules, a field called molecular nanotechnology. He also works with homogeneous catalysis, which is about speeding up chemical reactions.
Ben Feringa is a professor at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. In 2016, he won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He shared this award with Sir J. Fraser Stoddart and Jean-Pierre Sauvage. They won for their amazing work in designing and building molecular machines.
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About Ben Feringa
Ben Feringa grew up in a large family in the Netherlands. He was the second of ten children. His family lived on a farm near the German border. He is married to Betty Feringa and they have three daughters. They live in Paterswolde, close to Groningen.
Ben Feringa's Career
Ben Feringa studied at the University of Groningen. He earned his first degree in 1974. Then, he got his PhD in 1978. His PhD work was about how certain molecules can be made in different mirror-image forms.
After working for a short time at Shell, he became a teacher at the University of Groningen in 1984. By 1988, he was a full professor. Early in his career, he focused on homogeneous catalysis. This is about using special substances to make chemical reactions happen faster. He also worked on stereochemistry, which is the study of how molecules are shaped in 3D space.
In the 1990s, Feringa's work led to a big discovery. He created the first molecular motor that could spin in only one direction when light was shined on it. Later, he even built a tiny "nanocar." This car was made of molecules and could move on a surface using electricity.
Ben Feringa has written over 650 scientific papers. He also holds more than 30 patents for his inventions. He has helped more than 100 students earn their PhDs.
Discoveries and Research
Ben Feringa's most famous work is on molecular machines. These are tiny machines built from individual molecules. He found a way to make molecular switches that can be turned on and off with light. He also created the first molecular motor that spins in one direction. This was a huge step towards building future nanomachines and nanorobots. These tiny robots could be powered by molecular motors.
His team's work on molecular switches has many uses. For example, they can be used in:
- Materials that change when light hits them.
- Liquid crystals, like those in phone screens.
- Devices that change color with electricity.
- Special DNA that can store memory.
- Gels and polymers that respond to light.
- Tiny channels in cells that can deliver drugs.
They are also exploring new ways to fight cancer and antibiotic resistance. Feringa's team even showed that their molecular motors can work when attached to surfaces. This is important for building molecular conveyor belts. They also showed that these tiny motors can make larger objects move in liquid crystals.
In 2011, his team's molecular "nanocar" became famous. This tiny car had wheels made of molecular motors. It could move on a solid surface when an electric current was applied. This discovery was highlighted around the world.
Besides molecular motors, Feringa has worked on many other areas of chemistry. He developed new ways to create molecules with specific 3D shapes. This is important for making new medicines and materials. His research also explored how molecules interact with light and how to control their properties.
Awards and Honors
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Ben Feringa has received many awards for his scientific work. In 2016, he won the most famous award, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He shared it for his work on molecular machines.
Some other important awards he has received include:
- The Körber European Science Prize in 2003.
- The Spinoza Prize in 2004, a top Dutch science award.
- The Chirality Medal in 2010, for his work on molecular shapes.
- The Grand Prix Scientifique Cino del Duca in 2012.
- The "Chemistry for the future Solvay prize" in 2015.
He is also a member of many important scientific groups. These include the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2019, he became a foreign associate of the US National Academy of Sciences.
In 2008, he was made a Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion. This is a high honor from the Dutch Queen. In 2016, he was promoted to Commander of the same Order by the King. A street in his hometown was even named after him in 2017.
Professional Activities
Ben Feringa has helped guide many scientific journals. He was an editor for Chemical Communications and helped start Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry. He also advises other chemistry journals.
He has also worked internationally. In 2017, he became an honorary professor at South China Normal University. He also has a "green card" in China and leads a research team there. This team studies "self-healing materials."
Feringa also helped start a company called Selact. This company worked on making new organic chemicals.
See also
In Spanish: Ben Feringa para niños
