Nobel Laureate Prof. Moungi G. Bawendi, Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, and winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023, visited the Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (HITS), Chennai, to address the International Conference on “Quantum Horizons 2025: Materials, Intelligent Technologies and Sustainable Futures.” The event had brought together global scientists, industry leaders, and academic experts to discuss emerging developments in quantum science and advanced technologies on Dec 18.
Prof. Bawendi, renowned for his pioneering work on quantum dots, delivered the inaugural address and interacted with students and researchers, sharing insights into quantum materials, innovation pathways, and the translation of fundamental science into real-world technologies. The conference was inaugurated in the presence of Dr. Ashok George Verghese, Pro Chancellor, HITS.
Prof. Moungi G. Bawendi said,
“The story of quantum materials is ultimately a story of curiosity—of humanity’s drive to understand how matter behaves at its most fundamental level and how that knowledge can shape future technologies. Quantum dots, like many scientific breakthroughs, began not as products, but as questions: how do material properties change when we control matter atom by atom? Scientific progress is rarely linear; it is built on exploration, failure, patience, and persistence. What may first appear as abstract quantum effects can, over time, evolve into powerful real-world applications, enabling advances in displays, biomedical imaging, energy efficiency, sensing, and electronics.”
Highlighting the future trajectory of the field, he added,
“Looking ahead, the future is going to be electroluminescence, flexible displays using quantum dots, photovoltaics to harvest energy, and quantum systems—particularly quantum information. Quantum materials, especially quantum dots, will play a central role in flexible displays, energy harvesting, advanced sensing, and next-generation quantum technologies. Turning discovery into technology requires more than innovation; it demands simplicity, scalability, and collaboration across disciplines. Breakthroughs only matter when they can be reproduced and applied at scale.”
He further emphasised that as quantum materials move beyond today’s commercial successes into frontier research areas such as quantum information systems, their impact will increasingly shape future computing, energy, and sensing architectures.
“As we move forward, quantum materials will be foundational to next-generation technologies. Yet the most important lesson remains human: progress is driven by curiosity, continuous learning, resilience in the face of failure, and the willingness to adapt. If we remain open to exploration, today’s scientific questions will become tomorrow’s transformative solutions.”
The programme also included a panel discussion on quantum materials and intelligent technologies, featuring Prof. Ajayan Vinu of the University of Newcastle, Australia; Mr. Josh Foulger, CEO of Zetwerk; and Dr Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar. The panel discussed how to translate laboratory research into scalable manufacturing and real-world industry applications.
Additionally, the conference will host keynote sessions and expert talks by speakers from MIT, IIT Madras, IIT Ropar, IBM Quantum India, A*STAR Singapore, and leading Australian universities, covering themes such as quantum computing, nanotechnology, sustainable materials, artificial intelligence, and academia–industry collaboration.
