Dubai: Residents and science enthusiasts have a rare opportunity to explore the vast field of chemistry and the most important discoveries made within this field at the Nobel Museum, which opened in Dubai on Sunday.
The fourth edition of the annual exhibition was launched at City Walk 1 by the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF) in association with the Nobel Museum in Sweden, under the theme ‘The Nobel Prize in Chemistry: Connecting Elements.’
Through an interactive set-up that aims to captivate visitors of all ages, the exhibition has been designed to showcase discoveries made by several Nobel laureates in chemistry. It also sheds special light on some of the greatest contributions of Arab and Muslim chemists such as Jabir Ibn Hayyan and Abu Baker Al Razi in founding modern chemistry and changing the world with their discoveries.
Organisers on Sunday said the museum, which will be open till March 3, is held in memory of the Egyptian chemist and Nobel laureate Ahmad Zeweil, who was known for being the Father of Femtochemistry (study of chemical reactions).
Jamal Bin Huwaireb, MBRF’s CEO, said that through five different sections designed in an innovative and interactive manner, the museum supports MBRF’s mission in organising initiatives that disseminate knowledge and encourage youth to embrace innovation and creativity.
“This year, we have highlighted the achievements made by Nobel Prize laureates in chemistry, particularly Egyptian chemist Ahmad Zuwail, underlining the role that these discoveries — as well as other achievements by Nobel Prize winners — play in improving people’s lives,” he said.
Some of the Nobel Laureates featured include Marie Curie, Melvin Calvin and Dorothy Hodgkin, he added.
Dr Olov Amelin, Director of the Nobel Museum in Sweden, said the exhibition and all the events organised in connection with the exhibition are meant to “inspire people and present role models whose work shows what might seem impossible could in the end be the starting point for a breakthrough.”
He added that Nobel laureate Ahmad Zeweil was a very good example of a person who became an international figure and made a “fantastic” contribution to chemistry.
“Zuweil had a playful approach to his field of research and was really taken by promising results achieved with his methods of analysing chemical processes. He was also eager to reach out to young audience and demonstrate to them in a simple way what his research was about, which is exactly what we are trying to do with this exhibition,” he said.
He added that the exhibition underlines the role chemistry can play in addressing the problems humanity faces today, such as climate change or how to cure cancer.
The Nobel Exhibition 2018, which is open for free to the public, also includes several weekly workshops, featuring experts and specialists from the Nobel Foundation and leading international universities.
“The workshops examine topics pertaining to the Zewail City of Science and Technology, as well as Ahmad Zewail’s achievements in chemistry and the criteria for selecting the winners of the Nobel Prize,” said Bin Huwaireb.
The event also includes several ‘Chemistry Shows’, where families and children can take part in chemical experiments, whetting their appetite for discovery. In addition to that, MBRF’s ‘Esterahat Sayedat’ will be organising a Ladies Book Club during the event to discuss chemistry-focused publications.
Highlights
The five sections within the exhibition showcase the achievements of Nobel laureates in five different areas of chemistry.
Chemistry of Life: Visitors can explore the diverse and complex chemical processes that occur in the human body, which Nobel Prize laureates in chemistry have studied.
Chemical reactions: Offers videos showcasing the various types of chemical reactions that are associated with Nobel-Prize-winning discoveries. There is also a film about Ahmad Zewail, who documented chemical reactions and explained how they unfold in detail.
Elements section: Explore the periodic table of elements, learn the properties of each element, or watch a film about world-renowned French-Polish physicist and chemist Marie Curie.
The molecules section: Build your own models of molecules, view the finished models of simple and complex molecules, or watch a film about British biological chemist Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin.
Chemistry changing the world: See everyday objects that are associated with Nobel-Prize-winning discoveries in chemistry.
Details
What: Nobel Exhibition 2018
When: February 4-March 3
Location and Opening hours: City Walk 1, Everyday 9-10pm
