HanoiPresident Vo Van Thuong awarded the main prize to 4 scientists for their research on solar cell production and Lithium-ion battery storage, creating a sustainable foundation for green energy
On the evening of December 20, at Hoan Kiem Theater, Hanoi, the VinFuture 2023 Global Science and Technology Award ceremony gathered a large number of world-renowned scientists. Nobel Prize-winning scientist in Physics Prof. Sir Kostya S.Novoselov FRS; Millennium Technology Physics Prize winner Professor Sir Richard Henry Friend; Turing Award winner Professor Gabriel Valiant; “Father” of the GII Innovation Index Prof. Dutta and many influential names in the global research world were present. President Vo Van Thuong, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and leaders of many ministries and branches attended with more than 900 guests.
In its third year of organization, VinFuture shows its superiority in quantity and quality. Nearly 1,400 research projects come from more than 90 countries and territories. This number is three times more than the first season in 2021 with 599 nominations.
Speaking at the event, President Vo Van Thuong emphasized that each project named at the VinFuture 2023 awards ceremony is a great hope for the good life of billions of people on the planet. With creative research results, scientists have brought to the world hope for the glorious future of human life, giving young people strong motivation in their journey of commitment for human happiness. People. “The value of the award is to encourage and encourage the scientific spirit, humility and curiosity, the courage to overcome challenges, overcome barriers, limits, and conventional thinking to create, serve people,” he said.
He welcomed the enthusiasm of the founders of the VinFuture Award with a global vision and a ‘global joint effort’ approach. The award encourages and honors scientists with excellent research, groundbreaking and highly applicable technologies, leading to a better life for many people. The award also creates a broad connection with the world scientific community.
Immediately after the tribute to the members of the Award Council and the Preliminary Council, the winners of the award categories were revealed one by one, interspersed with videos marking the research and journey of each scientist. .
The main VinFuture Grand Prize with the largest value (3 million USD, equivalent to 73 billion VND) was awarded to 4 scientists with inventions that create a sustainable foundation for green energy through the production of solar cells and Stored by Lithium-ion battery. The research opens up new potential, supporting the exploitation of clean and endless energy from the sky. It is also the technology that helps open a new era for the field of energy storage and renewable energy, helping people around the world to access and use green, sustainable energy.
The entire auditorium stood up and echoed with applause at the moment President Vo Van Thuong awarded awards to the four scientists. Award winners include Professor Martin Andrew Green (Australia) – a pioneer in developing passive emitter and rear contact technology – PERC for solar cells; Professor Stanley Whittingham (British-American) – initiator and discoverer of the operating principle of Lithium-ion batteries; Professor Rachid Yazami (Morocco) – discovered the reversible electrochemical alternation of Lithium ions with graphite, thermodynamics of the battery charging and discharging process; Professor Akira Yoshino (Japan) – pioneer in using carbon black at the negative pole of Lithium-ion batteries. The organizing committee also took a special moment of gratitude to the late American Professor John Bannister Goodenough – a pioneer scientist who developed cobalt oxide as an anode to help rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries for the first time, making an important contribution. important to the success of this technology.
“I am very honored to receive the main award, thanking scientists around the world for their continuous efforts to help people transition from fossil fuels to more sustainable raw material sources,” Professor Martin Andrew Green shared when receiving the award. In addition to thanking Mr. Pham Nhat Vuong and his wife, founder of the VinFuture Foundation and Awards, Professor Martin delighted the audience by thanking his wife, likening her to being the source of “my own renewable energy in life”.
Professor Stanley Whittingham and Professor Rachid Yazami are grateful to colleagues and scientists in the field of renewable energy and their relatives for their constant support. While Professor Akira Yoshino expressed that small, light, rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries are a leading tool to create a sustainable future.
In addition to the main prize, VinFuture also awarded 3 special prizes to scientists from developing countries, female scientists and scientists researching new fields. Each prize is worth 500,000 USD.
This year, the Vietnamese scientific community was “ecstatic” because for the first time a domestic scientist’s name was announced at the VinFuture awards ceremony. Professor Vo Tong Xuan (Southern Can Tho University) was honored in the special award for scientists from developing countries, along with Professor Gurdev Singh Khush (American of Indian origin). The two scientists were awarded for their important contributions in inventing and disseminating many high-yield, disease-resistant rice varieties, contributing to ensuring global food security.
Holding the award trophy, Professor Vo Tong Xuan (83 years old) was emotional. On behalf of his late wife, colleagues, students at Can Tho University, and millions of farmers in the Mekong Delta, he thanked the award committee. He emphasized that supporting the application of new rice varieties has helped diversify agricultural production activities in the Mekong Delta. “Those efforts have helped increase rice productivity and improve the livelihoods of farmers in this area. Through that, we also contribute to the rise of Vietnam, becoming one of three countries the world’s leading rice exporter,” he shared in English.
Professor Vo Tong Xuan is a leading agricultural scientist in Vietnam. He is considered the “father” of many delicious rice varieties in the Mekong Delta rice bowl. In addition, the professor is also an agricultural expert in Vietnam, specializing in supporting food security issues for countries in the region.
S. Dr. Vo Tong Xuan (right) and Professor Gurdev Singh Khush received the award. Image: Giang Huy
The special prize for scientists researching new fields at VinFuture 2023 goes to a group of scientists: Professor Daniel Joshua Drucker (Canadian), Professor Joel Francis Habener (American), Professor Jens Juul Holst (Danish) and Associate Professor Svetlana Mojsov (American). The authors won for their pioneering work exploring the role of glucagon-like peptide -1, which underpins effective diabetes and obesity treatments, helping to advance new therapies for the disease. neurodegenerative diseases, contributing to creating a healthier world. On the honor stage, the three scientists could not hide their joy, except Professor Joel Francis Habener could not attend due to health reasons.
Three scientists received special awards for research in new fields. Image:Giang Huy
For her research on the hole in the Antarctic ozone layer, Professor Susan Solomon (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA) won a special award reserved for female scientists. She was a pioneering scientist in the field of atmospheric chemistry, whose groundbreaking contributions expanded understanding of ozone layer depletion and the role of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in that process. Her and her colleagues’ research contributed to the advancement of the Montreal Protocol, an important effort that has led to massive reductions in greenhouse gas emissions globally.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha awarded the award to Professor Susan Solomon. Image: Giang Huy
Interspersed with each announcement and award presentation are art performances by leading artists in Vietnam and the world. Artist Dong Quang Vinh and a 32-person symphony performed Vietnam National Anthem (Tien Quan Ca). Lien Khuc Quan Bac Ninh family Dirt drifting clouds and Oh, people do about through the sound of the monochord of Meritorious Artist Lijiang combined with electronic background music with a clear melody. Symphony No. 9 has a name From the new world Newly arranged through the performance of cellist Phan Do Phuc, conductor Dong Quang Vinh conquered many audiences. In particular, this is the first time American artist Katy Perry performed in Vietnam. She brings 3 songs, conveying the message of the spirit and strong will of women as well as unconditional love with passion for science and creativity. She was also the one who closed the honor night with an emotional melody Fireworks.
Katy Perry performed her hit song, exciting the auditorium. Image: Giang Huy
The award by the VinFuture Foundation was initiated in 2020 and awarded annually to breakthrough scientific and technological inventions that have the potential to create meaningful changes in people’s lives. After three seasons, 27 scientists have been honored.
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