Nobel Prize in Chemistry Recognizes Three Experts for Groundbreaking Research on Framework Materials
This year's Nobel Prize in the field of chemistry goes to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M Yaghi for their influential contributions on MOFs.
Their research could be applied to solve some of the pressing global issues, including trapping greenhouse gases to combat global warming or reducing synthetic debris through sophisticated chemical processes.
“I'm deeply honoured and delighted, thank you very much,” said Professor Kitagawa via a phone call with the news conference following receiving the announcement.
“How long do I have to stay here? Because I have to go out for a meeting,” he added.
These three winners are splitting monetary reward of 11 mln SEK (about £872k).
Molecular Architecture on a Center of their Discovery
The scientists' work focuses on how chemical compounds can be assembled in unison into elaborate networks. Award organizers termed it “molecular design”.
The scientists developed methods to create assemblies with considerable voids between the molecules, permitting various substances to pass through them.
Such compounds are known as metal-organic frameworks.
The announcement was made by the Swedish scientific body at a media briefing in Stockholm, Sweden.
Professor Kitagawa is affiliated with Kyoto University in Japan, Richard Robson works for the Melbourne University in Australia, and Omar Yaghi is at the University of California in the US.
Previous Award Winners in Scientific Fields
Last year, Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker received the award for their studies on proteins, which are essential building blocks of biological systems.
This is the third science award given this week. Earlier this week, John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis received the physics award for their research on quantum theory that paved the way for the creation of the quantum computer.
On Monday, three researchers work on how the body's defenses targets harmful microbes won them the prize for medical science.
One laureate, Fred Ramsdell, was unaware of the notification for a full day because he was on an disconnected hiking trip.
