Moungi Bawendi was born in Paris, France, the son of Tunisian mathematician Mohammed Salah Baouendi.

In 1993, Bawendi, and his PhD students David J. Norris and Christopher B. Murray,[20] reported on a hot-injection synthesis method for producing reproducible quantum dots with well-defined size and with high optical quality.

This breakthrough in chemical production methods made it possible to “tune” quantum dots according to size, and achieve predictable properties as a result.

[21][22] The method opened the door to the development of large-scale technological applications of quantum dots in a wide range of areas.

[21][22] Quantum dots are now used in light-emitting diodes (LEDs), photovoltaics (solar cells),[23] photodetectors, photoconductors, lasers,[24] biomedical imaging, biosensing and other applications.

[33] Bawendi was selected as a Clarivate Citation Laureate in Chemistry in 2020, jointly with Christopher B. Murray and Hyeon Taeghwan, "for synthesis of nanocrystals with precise attributes for a wide range of applications in physical, biological, and medical systems.".

[34] In 2023, Bawendi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry jointly with Louis E. Brus and Alexey Ekimov "for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots".