Chemistry Nobel Award Recognizes Three Scientists for Pioneering Work on Framework Materials
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is given to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M Yaghi for their influential research on MOFs.
The scientists' research has potential to tackle numerous significant planetary issues, for instance capturing carbon dioxide to address climate change or curbing synthetic debris through sophisticated scientific methods.
“I feel tremendously honored and overjoyed, many thanks,” said Professor Kitagawa in a telephone conversation to the media event after hearing the news.
“How long do I have to stay here? Because I have to go out for a meeting,” the laureate added.
These three winners will share monetary reward amounting to SEK 11 million (equivalent to £872,000).
Structural Design on a Heart of the Breakthrough
The scientists' research involves how molecules can be assembled collectively into elaborate structures. Award organizers termed it “molecular architecture”.
These experts formulated approaches to create assemblies with large voids among the units, allowing gases and other chemicals to travel via them.
Such compounds are called MOFs.
The declaration was presented by the Swedish scientific body at a news conference in Stockholm, Sweden.
Prof. Kitagawa is based at Kyoto University in the Asian nation, Richard Robson works for the University of Melbourne in Australia, and Professor Omar M. Yaghi is at the California University in the US.
Earlier Nobel Laureates in Scientific Categories
During the prior award cycle, three other scientists won the honor for their research on proteins, which are essential building blocks of living organisms.
It is the 3rd science recognition awarded in the current week. Previously, three physicists won the physics award for their research on subatomic physics that facilitated the development of the quantum processor.
At the start of the week, three experts' studies on how the immune system attacks hostile infections secured them the honor for physiology.
A single recipient, Dr Fred Ramsdell, missed the announcement for a full day because he was on an off-grid hiking trip.
