The Glow of the Microscopic World
Keywords:
Richard Zsigmondy, colloidal chemistry, ultramicroscope, colloidal systems, emulsions and micellesAbstract
This science communication article commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Richard Adolf Zsigmondy, recognizing his contributions to colloidal chemistry and the invention of the ultramicroscope. His work enabled the observation of particles smaller than 200 nm, unveiling key phenomena such as the Tyndall effect and Brownian motion—both essential to understanding colloidal systems. The article explores how these discoveries laid the foundation for a wide range of current applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, and technology industries. Key concepts such as emulsions, micelles, niosomes, and liquid crystals are explained, showing their relevance from everyday cleaning to advanced drug delivery. One hundred years after his Nobel recognition, this is a timely opportunity to recover Zsigmondy’s legacy in chemistry education and to reflect on the lasting impact of basic scientific research.
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