Nobel Prize in Chemistry Celebrates 3 Experts for Innovative Studies on MOF Structures
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is given to three distinguished scientists for their foundational contributions on porous materials.
The scientists' studies may help solve numerous major global challenges, such as capturing carbon dioxide to combat climate change or reducing synthetic debris through sophisticated scientific methods.
“I'm deeply honoured and delighted, thank you very much,” said Prof. Kitagawa in a call to the media event after receiving the announcement.
“How much time must I spend here? I need to leave for a scheduled meeting,” Professor Kitagawa continued.
The three recipients receive monetary reward of 11 million Swedish kronor (equivalent to £872,000).
Structural Design at the Heart of the Breakthrough
The scientists' research involves how molecular units are structured together into complex frameworks. Award organizers termed it “molecular architecture”.
These scientists devised methods to build frameworks with large spaces among the molecules, allowing gases and other chemicals to flow through them.
These structures are known as metal-organic frameworks.
The announcement was presented by the Swedish scientific body during a news conference in Stockholm.
Prof. Kitagawa works at Kyoto University in the Asian nation, Professor Richard Robson is at the University of Melbourne in the Australian continent, and Omar Yaghi is at the University of California in the USA.
Previous Award Laureates in Science Fields
Last year, Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker received the award for their research on protein structures, which are critical elements of biological systems.
It is the third science recognition awarded this week. Previously, John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis won the physics award for their contributions on quantum mechanics that facilitated the development of the quantum processor.
Earlier, three experts' investigations on how the biological immunity attacks harmful microbes earned them the award for medical science.
One recipient, Dr. Ramsdell, was unaware of the announcement for nearly a day because he was on an disconnected outing.
