Chemistry Nobel Award Celebrates Three Experts for Pioneering Work on MOF Structures
The prestigious award in the field of chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M Yaghi for their influential work on metal-organic frameworks.
The scientists' investigations could be applied to tackle some of the major planetary challenges, for instance trapping greenhouse gases to address global warming or curbing synthetic debris through advanced chemical processes.
“It’s a profound honor and pleasure, thank you,” remarked the Japanese scientist during a phone call with the media event subsequent to hearing the announcement.
“How long do I have to stay here? Because I have to go out for a meeting,” the laureate added.
The three laureates receive prize money totaling 11 million Swedish kronor (about £872k).
Molecular Architecture at the Center of their Achievement
Their scientists' work focuses on how molecular units can be assembled together into intricate frameworks. The selection panel described it as “molecular design”.
These experts devised techniques to create assemblies with considerable spaces between the units, permitting gases and other chemicals to travel via them.
These materials are called metal-organic frameworks.
The reveal was delivered by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in a press event in Stockholm.
Susumu Kitagawa is based at Kyoto University in the Asian nation, Professor Richard Robson is associated with the University of Melbourne in Australia, and Professor Omar M. Yaghi is at the University of California in the USA.
Recent Award Recipients in Scientific Categories
During the prior award cycle, three other scientists won the award for their research on proteins, which are essential building blocks of living organisms.
It is the 3rd science recognition awarded in the current week. Earlier this week, John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis won the Physics Nobel for their research on subatomic physics that facilitated the advancement of the quantum computing system.
On Monday, three researchers work on how the biological immunity attacks hostile infections won them the prize for physiology.
One recipient, Dr Fred Ramsdell, did not receive the notification for nearly a day because he was on an remote trek.
