Chemistry Nobel Award Celebrates 3 Experts for Pioneering Studies on Metal-Organic Frameworks
The Nobel Prize in the field of chemistry goes to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M Yaghi for their seminal work on porous materials.
The scientists' studies has potential to tackle some of the major worldwide issues, for instance trapping greenhouse gases to combat environmental shifts or curbing plastic waste through innovative chemistry.
“It’s a profound honor and pleasure, thank you,” stated Prof. Kitagawa via a call to the media event following receiving the news.
“What’s the duration I need to remain? I have an appointment to attend,” the laureate continued.
The three recipients receive prize money totaling 11 mln SEK (equivalent to £872,000).
Structural Design at the Core of their Achievement
Their scientists' studies centers around how chemical compounds are structured together into elaborate networks. The selection panel referred to it as “molecular architecture”.
These professors devised approaches to build frameworks with considerable voids between the molecules, allowing gases and other chemicals to flow via them.
These materials are referred to as metal-organic frameworks.
The declaration was presented by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences during a media briefing in Stockholm.
Prof. Kitagawa is based at the University of Kyoto in Japan, Prof. Robson is associated with the University of Melbourne in Australia, and Prof. Yaghi is at the California University in the US.
Earlier Award Winners in Science Categories
In the previous year, three other scientists received the honor for their studies on protein structures, which are essential components of life.
This is the 3rd science award presented recently. On Tuesday, John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis earned the physics award for their contributions on quantum theory that enabled the advancement of the quantum computer.
Earlier, three experts' work on how the immune system attacks hostile infections won them the prize for physiology.
A single laureate, Dr. Ramsdell, missed the notification for a full day because he was on an remote outing.
