The Nobel Prize 2016 ceremony was held last Saturday. This year's ceremonies featured 376 nominees, which includes 228 individuals with 148 organizations. It is reported that the number of 2016 candidates is currently the largest number of nominees recorded by the committee. The awards also marked the absence of Bob Dylan, who was awarded the prize for literature, but was not able to attend the event due to "pre-existing commitments."
As reported by Nobelprize.Org, the event was held in Stockholm, Sweden. The Nobel Prize for each category is presented by the King of Sweden. Each laureate receives a diploma and a medal. Afterwards, the Nobel banquet is held at the Stockholm City hall. Additionally, the event is also graced by the Swedish Royal Family together with the 2016 Nobel awardees.
Nobel Prize for Peace
Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos receives the peace award for his struggles to end his country's long-standing civil war. The war has affected at least 220,000 Colombians who have lost their lives and also reportedly displaced close to six million people.
Nobel Prize in Chemistry
This year's prize goes to three individuals, Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Bernard "Ben" Feringa and Fraser Stoddart. The committee recognized their work, which deals with molecular machines, which experts speculate can result into improved energy storage systems, computer components and batteries.
Nobel Prize in Medicine
The award goes to Yoshinori Oshumi a Japanese scientist. He was nominated for his work on autophagy, which is described as a "self-eating" process that causes a cell to break down and reuse some of its contents. This process has been linked to known diseases such as cancer, diabetes and Parkinson's disease.
Nobel Prize in Physics
For their research on unusual states of matter and on materials called superconductors, which could further improve electronics and quantum computation. The committee presents the awards to David Thouless, Duncan Haldane and Michael Kosterlitz.
Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences
Bengst Holmstrom and Oliver Hart receive the awards for their work on contract theory. This is a type of research that supposedly applies to deductibles, insurance co-pays and CEO bonuses.
Nobel Prize in Literature
American artist Bob Dylan was selected to receive the award. Unfortunately he was unable to attend the event. Patti Smith performed the artist's "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall" accompanied by a string section.
