Chemistry Nobel Award Recognizes Three Researchers for Groundbreaking Studies on Metal-Organic Frameworks
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to three distinguished scientists for their seminal research on porous materials.
Their research could be applied to tackle numerous significant planetary challenges, for instance trapping greenhouse gases to combat environmental shifts or reducing plastic pollution through sophisticated chemistry.
“I'm deeply honoured and delighted, thank you very much,” remarked Professor Kitagawa in a phone call with the media event subsequent to hearing the news.
“How long do I have to stay here? Because I have to go out for a meeting,” Professor Kitagawa added.
These three recipients are splitting award funds of SEK 11 million (equivalent to £872,000).
Structural Design on a Core of their Achievement
Their scientists' work involves how molecular units can be assembled collectively into complex networks. The Nobel committee described it as “molecular architecture”.
The experts devised methods to construct structures with substantial spaces among the molecules, enabling gases and other chemicals to pass via them.
Such materials are known as MOFs.
This reveal was made by the academic institution in a press event in the Swedish capital.
Prof. Kitagawa is affiliated with Kyoto University in the Asian nation, Professor Richard Robson is at the University of Melbourne in Australia, and Professor Omar M. Yaghi is at the University of California in the USA.
Earlier Nobel Winners in Science Categories
During the prior award cycle, three other scientists were granted the honor for their research on protein structures, which are critical components of living organisms.
This is the 3rd scientific award given in the current week. Previously, three physicists earned the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work on subatomic physics that paved the way for the advancement of the quantum computer.
Earlier, three researchers investigations on how the body's defenses combats harmful microbes won them the honor for physiology.
A single winner, Dr Fred Ramsdell, missed the news for a full day because he was on an disconnected hiking trip.
