Chemistry Nobel Award Celebrates 3 Researchers for Pioneering Studies on Metal-Organic Frameworks
This year's prestigious award in Chemistry is given to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M Yaghi for their seminal research on porous materials.
Their research could be applied to address some of the pressing global challenges, for instance capturing carbon dioxide to fight climate change or minimizing synthetic debris through innovative scientific methods.
“It’s a profound honor and pleasure, thank you,” said Professor Kitagawa via a call with the press briefing subsequent to learning the decision.
“How much time must I spend here? I need to leave for a scheduled meeting,” Professor Kitagawa noted.
These 3 laureates will share award funds totaling SEK 11 million (£872,000).
Framework Construction on a Center of the Discovery
The researchers' work focuses on how molecules are built collectively into complex networks. The Nobel committee termed it “molecular design”.
These professors developed methods to create structures with substantial spaces among the units, enabling various substances to pass through them.
These materials are called metal-organic materials.
This reveal was presented by the academic institution at a media briefing in the Swedish capital.
Professor Kitagawa is affiliated with the University of Kyoto in Japan, Professor Richard Robson is associated with the University of Melbourne in Australia, and Prof. Yaghi resides at the UC in the US.
Recent Nobel Winners in Science Categories
Last year, Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker received the award for their studies on biological molecules, which are essential components of biological systems.
This is the third scientific recognition presented in the current week. Earlier this week, John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis received the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work on subatomic physics that facilitated the creation of the quantum computer.
At the start of the week, three experts' investigations on how the body's defenses attacks harmful microbes won them the honor for physiology.
A single winner, Fred Ramsdell, was unaware of the news for 20 hours because he was on an remote outing.
