Quantum dots, one of the first materials to inhabit the realm of nanoscience, have become ubiquitous in displays and other applications. My talk will discuss their origin story as well as their development and applications during a span of almost 4 decades. A story that reflects the importance of curiosity driven science to drive innovation and technological progress.

Moungi Bawendi is a Professor at MIT where his laboratory applies nanomaterials for light emission, photodetection, spectral sensing, solar energy harvesting, and bio-imaging applications. Professor Bawendi shared the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots.

This public lecture is proudly supported by the University of Canterbury, the MacDiarmid Institute and ChristchurchNZ.