IBM Scientists Win Feynman Prize for their Experimental Work Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on January 16, 2013 at 4:29 AM

IBM Researchers Gerhart Meyer, Leo Gross and Jascha Repp (now at Regensburg University) have won the prestigious Feynman prize given by the Foresight Group, an organization that seeks to advance the study of nanotechnology. The award was bestowed upon the group of researchers for their ground breaking work in producing detailed molecular images and deconstructing chemical bonds on individual atoms.

IBM Researchers Gerhart Meyer, Leo Gross (pictured) and Jascha Repp (now at Regensburg University) won the prestigious Feynman prize given by the Foresight Group. The team of research scientists was the first to produce images detailed enough to identify the structure of individual molecules, as well as metal-molecule complexes. They have also been able to accurately deconstruct individual chemical bonds which provide key insights into designing future molecular systems and nano scale devices. (Monica Davey/Feature Photo Service for IBM)

IBM researchers used an atomic force microscope in a high pressure, low-temperature environment to capture images of a carbon monoxide molecule smaller than a grain of sand, which allowed them to see the atomic structure for the first time. The images the researchers captured via the experiment were reminiscent of similar pictures only represented as graphics in past chemistry textbooks.

“We are honored to be recognized for our efforts at the IBM Research lab in Zurich,” said Leo Gross, IBM Researcher and Physicist. “Our work in identifying the anatomy of a molecule has brought us closer to realizing Richard Feynman’s vision of producing atomically precise products.”

The Feynman award was presented to the team at the 2013 Foresight Technical Conference in Palo Alto, California where they were recognized for their continued experimental work using atomic microscope tools.