Chemistry Nobel Award Recognizes 3 Experts for Groundbreaking Work on MOF Structures
This year's Nobel Prize in the field of chemistry has been awarded to three distinguished scientists for their seminal work on MOFs.
Their studies could be applied to tackle some of the significant planetary problems, including CO2 capture to combat environmental shifts or curbing synthetic debris through sophisticated scientific methods.
“I'm deeply honoured and delighted, thank you very much,” remarked Professor Kitagawa during a phone call to the news conference following learning the decision.
“How much time must I spend here? I need to leave for a scheduled meeting,” he noted.
These three recipients are splitting award funds totaling 11 million Swedish kronor (equivalent to £872,000).
Molecular Architecture at the Center of the Achievement
The scientists' work centers around how chemical compounds are structured collectively into elaborate frameworks. The selection panel referred to it as “molecular architecture”.
These professors devised techniques to build structures with substantial gaps among the molecules, allowing gases and other chemicals to travel through them.
Such structures are called MOFs.
The announcement was presented by the academic institution during a news conference in Stockholm, Sweden.
Susumu Kitagawa is based at Kyoto University in the Asian nation, Prof. Robson is at the Melbourne University in Australia, and Omar Yaghi is at the UC in the US.
Previous Nobel Winners in Scientific Fields
During the prior award cycle, Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker were granted the honor for their studies on biological molecules, which are fundamental elements of life.
This is the third science recognition given recently. Earlier this week, John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis received the physics award for their research on subatomic physics that enabled the creation of the quantum processor.
At the start of the week, 3 experts' work on how the biological immunity attacks harmful microbes earned them the prize for physiology.
One winner, Dr Fred Ramsdell, was unaware of the announcement for nearly a day because he was on an disconnected trek.
