Nobel Prize in Chemistry Honors 3 Researchers for Innovative Research on Framework Materials
This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry is given to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M Yaghi for their influential contributions on MOFs.
Their studies could be applied to solve some of the pressing planetary issues, such as capturing carbon dioxide to combat global warming or curbing synthetic debris through sophisticated scientific methods.
“I'm deeply honoured and delighted, thank you very much,” stated Professor Kitagawa via a call to the media event following hearing the decision.
“What’s the duration I need to remain? I have an appointment to attend,” the laureate added.
These 3 laureates will share monetary reward of 11 million Swedish kronor (about £872k).
Structural Design on a Core of their Discovery
The researchers' work centers around how molecular units can be assembled in unison into complex networks. The Nobel committee described it as “molecular architecture”.
These scientists developed approaches to build assemblies with considerable voids among the molecules, allowing different compounds to pass through them.
These structures are called MOFs.
The announcement was presented by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in a news conference in Stockholm, Sweden.
Prof. Kitagawa is based at Kyoto University in Japan, Professor Richard Robson works for the University of Melbourne in Australia, and Omar Yaghi is at the UC in the USA.
Earlier Nobel Laureates in Scientific Categories
In the previous year, Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker received the honor for their work on protein structures, which are critical elements of biological systems.
This is the 3rd science prize presented in the current week. Previously, John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis won the physics award for their work on quantum theory that facilitated the development of the quantum computer.
On Monday, 3 scientists studies on how the biological immunity combats pathogens won them the prize for medical science.
One winner, Dr. Ramsdell, missed the notification for a full day because he was on an off-grid hiking trip.
