In a festive ceremony held last Thursday, the Faculty of Chemistry awarded the prestigious Kolthoff Prize to Prof. Dan Oron of the Weizmann Institute of Science. The event, which included a scientific lecture and a celebratory dinner, bridged the glorious legacy of the “Father of Modern Analytical Chemistry” with the cutting edge of contemporary nano-science.

The Faculty of Chemistry was honored to host its annual ceremony last Thursday to present the Kolthoff Prize. This year’s recipient is Prof. Dan Oron, from the Department of Physics of Complex Systems at the Weizmann Institute of Science, recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to nano-photonics, quantum optics, and advanced materials.

The Legacy of Izaak Kolthoff

During the ceremony, the Dean of the Faculty highlighted the remarkable life and work of Izaak Kolthoff, for whom the prize is named. Known as the “Father of Modern Analytical Chemistry,” Kolthoff published over 30 volumes- totaling 17,000 pages- that fundamentally shaped the field. During World War II, he played a vital role in the U.S. war effort by co-developing the “cold rubber” recipe, a breakthrough that allowed for the mass production of synthetic rubber superior to the natural alternative.

Beyond his immense scientific achievements, Kolthoff was a dedicated advocate for international scientific cooperation and world peace. Despite losing most of his family in the Holocaust, he spent his life building bridges between scientists globally, believing that science is a universal language that transcends political borders.

Celebrating Excellence: Prof. Dan Oron

The prize committee selected Prof. Oron for his extraordinary multidisciplinary work at the intersection of physics, chemistry, and biology. Among his notable achievements:

  • Super-Resolution Microscopy: He was the first to demonstrate that quantum mechanical effects can be harnessed to improve the resolution of optical microscopes beyond the classical diffraction limit.

  • Bio-inspired Optics: His research looks into the natural world – studying the optical systems of marine organisms like shrimp and clams -to design innovative, bio-inspired photonic materials.

  • Sustainable Energy: Prof. Oron’s work on halide perovskites has significantly advanced our understanding of these materials, paving the way for more efficient solar energy technologies.

A Celebration of Science and Community

Following the Dean’s opening remarks and the award presentation, the audience enjoyed a captivating keynote lecture by Prof. Oron on the frontiers of nano-optics. The evening concluded with a festive dinner attended by faculty members, research students, and distinguished guests from academia and industry, celebrating the vital role of the Kolthoff Prize in fostering scientific excellence in Israel.

The Faculty of Chemistry congratulates Prof. Dan Oron on this well-deserved honor and wishes him continued success in his pioneering research.