Nobel Prize in Chemistry Honors Three Experts for Pioneering Studies on Metal-Organic Frameworks
The prestigious award in the field of chemistry is given to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M Yaghi for their influential work on MOFs.
The scientists' investigations could be applied to solve numerous major worldwide issues, for instance CO2 capture to combat environmental shifts or minimizing plastic pollution through innovative chemical processes.
“I'm deeply honoured and delighted, thank you very much,” stated the Japanese scientist in a telephone conversation to the press briefing subsequent to receiving the announcement.
“How much time must I spend here? I need to leave for a scheduled meeting,” Professor Kitagawa added.
The three winners will share award funds totaling 11 mln SEK (about £872k).
Framework Construction at the Center of the Discovery
Their researchers' studies involves how molecules can be assembled together into complex networks. The selection panel termed it “structural molecular engineering”.
These scientists devised techniques to create assemblies with considerable spaces between the units, allowing gases and other chemicals to flow through them.
Such materials are called metal-organic frameworks.
The declaration was delivered by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in a media briefing in the Swedish capital.
Prof. Kitagawa works at the University of Kyoto in Japan, Professor Richard Robson works for the Melbourne University in the Australian continent, and Professor Omar M. Yaghi is connected to the University of California in the US.
Previous Nobel Laureates in Scientific Categories
During the prior award cycle, Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker received the award for their studies on protein structures, which are essential elements of biological systems.
It is the third science prize awarded recently. On Tuesday, John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis received the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work on quantum mechanics that paved the way for the advancement of the quantum computing system.
On Monday, 3 scientists work on how the biological immunity attacks harmful microbes secured them the honor for physiology.
A single winner, Fred Ramsdell, was unaware of the notification for 20 hours because he was on an remote hiking trip.
