Nobel Prize in Chemistry Celebrates Three Researchers for Innovative Work on Framework Materials
The Nobel Prize in the field of chemistry goes to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M Yaghi for their influential work on MOFs.
The scientists' studies may help solve some of the major worldwide challenges, such as capturing carbon dioxide to address environmental shifts or reducing plastic pollution through innovative scientific methods.
“I feel tremendously honored and overjoyed, many thanks,” said the Japanese scientist during a call with the news conference after receiving the announcement.
“How long do I have to stay here? Because I have to go out for a meeting,” Professor Kitagawa noted.
These 3 recipients will share monetary reward totaling 11 million Swedish kronor (about £872k).
Framework Construction at the Core of their Achievement
Their scientists' studies focuses on how molecular units can be assembled together into elaborate networks. The selection panel referred to it as “molecular design”.
The professors devised methods to create structures with considerable voids amid the components, enabling different compounds to flow via them.
These materials are known as metal-organic frameworks.
The announcement was made by the Swedish scientific body at a press event in the Swedish capital.
Susumu Kitagawa is based at Kyoto University in the Asian nation, Prof. Robson works for the Melbourne University in Australia, and Professor Omar M. Yaghi resides at the California University in the United States.
Previous Award Recipients in Science Categories
During the prior award cycle, three other scientists received the prize for their work on protein structures, which are critical building blocks of living organisms.
This is the third scientific prize awarded in the current week. Previously, three physicists earned the Physics Nobel for their work on subatomic physics that paved the way for the creation of the quantum processor.
At the start of the week, three researchers studies on how the biological immunity attacks hostile infections won them the honor for physiology.
One winner, Fred Ramsdell, was unaware of the notification for a full day because he was on an remote outing.
