# Ben Feringa

> Dutch Nobel laureate in chemistry

**Wikidata**: [Q3259614](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3259614)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Feringa)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ben-feringa

## Summary
Ben Feringa is a Dutch Nobel laureate in chemistry known for pioneering molecular machines, particularly the development of the first synthetic molecular motor. His work revolutionized the field of nanotechnology and organic chemistry by demonstrating that molecules can be designed to perform mechanical tasks, opening new possibilities for future technologies.

## Biography
- Born: May 18, 1951
- Nationality: Dutch
- Education: PhD in Chemistry from the University of Groningen (1978)
- Known for: Developing the first synthetic molecular motor, advancing molecular nanotechnology
- Employer(s): University of Groningen (current and past)
- Field(s): Organic chemistry, molecular nanotechnology

## Contributions
- **First Synthetic Molecular Motor (1999)**: Designed a molecular rotor that could be controlled by light, demonstrating that molecules could function as tiny machines. This breakthrough laid the foundation for molecular nanotechnology.
- **Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2016)**: Awarded for his work on molecular machines, specifically for the design and synthesis of molecular motors.
- **Organic Stereochemistry Award (2016)**: Recognized for his contributions to the field of organic stereochemistry.
- **Prelog Medal and Lecture (1986–)**: Awarded for his research in stereochemistry and molecular machines.
- **Körber European Science Prize (2016)**: Honored for his groundbreaking work in molecular nanotechnology.
- **Humboldt Prize (2016)**: Awarded for his pioneering research in molecular machines.
- **Tetrahedron Prize (2016)**: Recognized for his work in organic chemistry and molecular nanotechnology.
- **August Wilhelm von Hofmann Medal (2016)**: Awarded for his contributions to chemistry.
- **Cino Del Duca Science Prize (2016)**: Honored for his work in molecular nanotechnology.
- **Centenary Prize (2016)**: Awarded by the Royal Society of Chemistry for his contributions to organic chemistry.
- **Chirality Medal (2016)**: Recognized for his work in stereochemistry and molecular machines.
- **Marie Curie Medal (2016)**: Awarded for his contributions to chemistry and molecular nanotechnology.
- **Honorary Doctorates**: Received from the University of Santiago de Compostela and the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava.

## FAQs
**What is Ben Feringa known for?**
Ben Feringa is known for developing the first synthetic molecular motor, which demonstrated that molecules could perform mechanical tasks. His work revolutionized molecular nanotechnology and earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2016.

**Where did Ben Feringa study?**
Ben Feringa earned his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Groningen in 1978.

**What awards has Ben Feringa received?**
Ben Feringa has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the Organic Stereochemistry Award, the Prelog Medal, the Körber European Science Prize, the Humboldt Prize, the Tetrahedron Prize, the August Wilhelm von Hofmann Medal, the Cino Del Duca Science Prize, the Centenary Prize, the Chirality Medal, and the Marie Curie Medal.

**What is a molecular motor?**
A molecular motor is a molecule that can perform mechanical work, such as rotation or linear motion, in response to an external stimulus like light or temperature. Ben Feringa's work demonstrated that such molecules could be designed and synthesized.

**How has Ben Feringa influenced the field of chemistry?**
Ben Feringa's work has significantly advanced the field of molecular nanotechnology by showing that molecules can function as tiny machines. His research has opened new possibilities for future technologies and has earned him widespread recognition in the scientific community.

## Why They Matter
Ben Feringa's work on molecular machines has had a profound impact on the field of chemistry and nanotechnology. His development of the first synthetic molecular motor demonstrated that molecules could perform mechanical tasks, paving the way for future advancements in molecular nanotechnology. His research has influenced scientists worldwide and has opened new avenues for innovation in various industries. Without Ben Feringa's contributions, the field of molecular nanotechnology would not have progressed as rapidly, and the potential applications of molecular machines in medicine, materials science, and other areas would be significantly limited.

## Notable For
- **First Synthetic Molecular Motor (1999)**: Developed the first molecule capable of performing mechanical work, revolutionizing molecular nanotechnology.
- **Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2016)**: Awarded for his groundbreaking work on molecular machines.
- **Organic Stereochemistry Award (2016)**: Recognized for his contributions to the field of organic stereochemistry.
- **Prelog Medal and Lecture (1986–)**: Awarded for his research in stereochemistry and molecular machines.
- **Körber European Science Prize (2016)**: Honored for his pioneering work in molecular nanotechnology.
- **Humboldt Prize (2016)**: Awarded for his research in molecular machines.
- **Tetrahedron Prize (2016)**: Recognized for his work in organic chemistry and molecular nanotechnology.
- **August Wilhelm von Hofmann Medal (2016)**: Awarded for his contributions to chemistry.
- **Cino Del Duca Science Prize (2016)**: Honored for his work in molecular nanotechnology.
- **Centenary Prize (2016)**: Awarded by the Royal Society of Chemistry for his contributions to organic chemistry.
- **Chirality Medal (2016)**: Recognized for his work in stereochemistry and molecular machines.
- **Marie Curie Medal (2016)**: Awarded for his contributions to chemistry and molecular nanotechnology.
- **Honorary Doctorates**: Received from the University of Santiago de Compostela and the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Ben Feringa was born on May 18, 1951, in the Netherlands. He earned his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Groningen in 1978, where he began his career in organic chemistry.

### Career and Research
Ben Feringa's career has been marked by groundbreaking contributions to the field of molecular nanotechnology. In 1999, he developed the first synthetic molecular motor, a molecule that could rotate in response to light. This achievement demonstrated that molecules could perform mechanical tasks, opening new possibilities for future technologies. His work earned him widespread recognition and numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2016.

### Awards and Honors
Ben Feringa has received numerous awards and honors for his pioneering work in molecular nanotechnology. These include the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the Organic Stereochemistry Award, the Prelog Medal, the Körber European Science Prize, the Humboldt Prize, the Tetrahedron Prize, the August Wilhelm von Hofmann Medal, the Cino Del Duca Science Prize, the Centenary Prize, the Chirality Medal, and the Marie Curie Medal. He has also received honorary doctorates from the University of Santiago de Compostela and the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava.

### Influence and Legacy
Ben Feringa's work has had a profound impact on the field of chemistry and nanotechnology. His development of the first synthetic molecular motor has influenced scientists worldwide and has opened new avenues for innovation in various industries. His research has paved the way for future advancements in molecular nanotechnology and has earned him a prominent place in the scientific community. Ben Feringa continues to be a leading figure in the field, inspiring the next generation of scientists to explore the possibilities of molecular machines.

## References

1. Catalogus Professorum Academiae Groninganae
2. [Source](http://www.rug.nl/staff/b.l.feringa/cv)
3. [NWO Spinozapremie 2004](http://www.nwo.nl/onderzoek-en-resultaten/programmas/spinozapremie/spinozalaureaten/overzicht+per+jaar/2004)
4. [Organic Stereochemistry Award 2011 Winner](http://www.rsc.org/ScienceAndTechnology/Awards/OrganicStereochemistryAward/2011winner.asp)
5. [The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2016. 2016](http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/2016/)
6. [Source](https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/about/amounts/)
7. [Elsevier Announces the Winner of the 2016 Tetrahedron Prize. 2016](https://www.elsevier.com/about/press-releases/research-and-journals/elsevier-announces-the-winner-of-the-2016-tetrahedron-prize)
8. [Source](https://www.acs.org/funding/awards/james-flack-norris-award-in-physical-organic-chemistry/past-recipients.html)
9. [Source](https://en.gdch.de/gdch/prizes-and-awards/gdch-awards/august-wilhelm-von-hofmann-commemorative-medal.html)
10. [Source](https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stcrt-2016-68053.html)
11. [Source](https://www.rug.nl/news/2009/04/medalferinga?lang=en)
12. [Source](https://www.usc.gal/es/usc/institucional/honoris-causa)
13. [Source](https://royalsociety.org/news/2020/04/outstanding-scientists-elected-as-fellows-and-foreign-members-of-the-royal-society/)
14. [Source](https://scg.ch/component/page/paracelsus)
15. [Source](https://ptchem.pl/pl/honors/winners-of-the-medals-and-ptchem-awards)
16. [Doctor honoris causa - Dr.h.c.](https://www.stuba.sk/sk/vyskume/habilitacie-inauguracie-a-udelene-tituly/udelene-tituly/doctor-honoris-causa-dr.h.c.html?page_id=13662)
17. [STU has awarded the title "Doctor Honoris Causa" to two laureates of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. 2023](https://www.stuba.sk/english/news/news/stu-has-awarded-the-title-doctor-honoris-causa-to-two-laureates-of-the-nobel-prize-in-chemistry.html?page_id=15979)
18. Virtual International Authority File
19. Integrated Authority File
20. CiNii Research
21. www.ae-info.org
22. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
23. Davos 2018 Participant List