Nobel Prize in Chemistry Honors 3 Experts for Pioneering Work on Framework Materials
This year's prestigious award in Chemistry is given to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M Yaghi for their seminal work on metal-organic frameworks.
Their investigations may help solve numerous pressing planetary problems, for instance CO2 capture to address climate change or reducing plastic pollution through sophisticated chemical processes.
“I'm deeply honoured and delighted, thank you very much,” said the Japanese scientist via a phone call to the press briefing following learning 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 monetary reward amounting to SEK 11 million (£872,000).
Structural Design at the Heart of their Breakthrough
The scientists' work centers around how molecular units are built together into complex frameworks. Award organizers described it as “molecular design”.
The experts developed approaches to build assemblies with substantial voids among the molecules, permitting gases and other chemicals to pass via them.
These structures are known as metal-organic materials.
This reveal was presented by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences at a media briefing in the Swedish capital.
Prof. Kitagawa is based at the University of Kyoto in Japan, Richard Robson works for the University of Melbourne in Australia, and Prof. Yaghi is at the University of California in the US.
Recent Nobel Laureates in Science Categories
During the prior award cycle, Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker won the honor for their research on proteins, which are fundamental elements of biological systems.
It is the 3rd scientific recognition awarded this week. Earlier this week, three physicists received the physics award for their contributions on quantum theory that facilitated the creation of the quantum computer.
Earlier, three scientists work on how the body's defenses combats pathogens earned them the honor for physiology.
A single recipient, Dr. Ramsdell, was unaware of the news for 20 hours because he was on an disconnected trek.
