The Nobel Prize for Chemistry is to be awarded to German scientist Gerhard Ertl for his pioneering work in surface chemistry.
This science is important for the chemical industry and helps to understand varied processes such as why iron rusts, how fuel cells function and how the catalysts in cars work. Mr Ertl's work has led to superior fertilisers and cleaner cars.
He received the news at his office in Berlin, where he was working on his 71st birthday. 'I was speechless at first when I got the news from Stockholm,' Mr Ertl told wire services. 'Mainly I feel proud.'
'I can't say I expected the prize but I knew I was on the list of candidates,' he added.
Mr Ertl also said he believed Germany was a country that strongly supported its scientists, and that he had never had any problems with funding.
'I cannot understand why you hear so much moaning about a lack of funding,' he said, adding that he thought German researchers were better off than their US counterparts.
