Chemistry Nobel Award Celebrates Three Experts for Pioneering Studies on Metal-Organic Frameworks
The prestigious award in Chemistry goes to three distinguished scientists for their foundational work on MOFs.
The scientists' research may help tackle numerous pressing worldwide issues, including CO2 capture to address global warming or curbing plastic waste through sophisticated scientific methods.
“I'm deeply honoured and delighted, thank you very much,” stated Professor Kitagawa via a telephone conversation to the media event following learning the news.
“What’s the duration I need to remain? I have an appointment to attend,” he noted.
The 3 recipients will share prize money amounting to 11 mln SEK (equivalent to £872,000).
Framework Construction at the Heart of their Achievement
The researchers' studies involves how molecular units are built together into complex networks. Award organizers described it as “molecular design”.
The scientists devised techniques to build assemblies with considerable spaces between the units, allowing gases and other chemicals to flow through them.
Such structures are known as metal-organic materials.
This announcement was delivered by the academic institution in a news conference in Stockholm, Sweden.
Susumu Kitagawa is affiliated with the University of Kyoto in Japan, Professor Richard Robson is associated with the University of Melbourne in Australia, and Omar Yaghi resides at the UC in the United States.
Previous Nobel Winners in Scientific Fields
Last year, Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker received the award for their research on biological molecules, which are essential components of biological systems.
This is the third scientific prize given recently. Earlier this week, three physicists won the physics award for their contributions on quantum theory that paved the way for the creation of the quantum computing system.
On Monday, three researchers studies on how the body's defenses combats pathogens won them the honor for medicine.
A single recipient, Fred Ramsdell, missed the notification for a full day because he was on an remote hiking trip.