Nobel Prize in Chemistry Honors Three Researchers for Innovative Studies on Metal-Organic Frameworks

This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry goes to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M Yaghi for their influential contributions on porous materials.

Their investigations may help solve numerous significant global challenges, such as CO2 capture to combat environmental shifts or minimizing plastic pollution through sophisticated chemistry.

“It’s a profound honor and pleasure, thank you,” said Professor Kitagawa during a phone call to the press briefing after receiving the announcement.

“What’s the duration I need to remain? I have an appointment to attend,” the laureate added.

These three winners are splitting prize money of SEK 11 million (equivalent to £872,000).

Structural Design at the Core of the Achievement

Their researchers' research involves how molecular units can be assembled together into complex structures. Award organizers described it as “structural molecular engineering”.

These scientists developed techniques to construct structures with large voids among the units, allowing gases and other chemicals to flow within them.

Such compounds are referred to as MOFs.

This declaration was delivered by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in a press event in the Swedish capital.

Susumu Kitagawa is based at the University of Kyoto in Japan, Professor Richard Robson is at the Melbourne University in Australia, and Omar Yaghi is connected to the UC in the US.

Previous Award Recipients in Scientific Categories

In the previous year, Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker received the prize for their research on protein structures, which are fundamental elements of living organisms.

It is the third science recognition awarded in the current week. On Tuesday, John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis won the Physics Nobel for their research on subatomic physics that enabled the creation of the quantum processor.

At the start of the week, 3 experts' investigations on how the body's defenses combats pathogens secured them the prize for physiology.

One recipient, Dr Fred Ramsdell, did not receive the announcement for 20 hours because he was on an disconnected trek.