Chemistry Nobel Award Honors Three Experts for Pioneering Studies on Framework Materials
This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M Yaghi for their influential research on porous materials.
Their investigations has potential to address some of the pressing planetary issues, including capturing carbon dioxide to combat climate change or minimizing plastic waste through sophisticated chemistry.
“I feel tremendously honored and overjoyed, many thanks,” stated Professor Kitagawa in a call with the news conference following learning the decision.
“What’s the duration I need to remain? I have an appointment to attend,” the laureate added.
The 3 winners will share prize money of 11 mln SEK (about £872k).
Structural Design at the Center of their Discovery
Their researchers' work involves how molecules are structured in unison into intricate networks. The selection panel described it as “structural molecular engineering”.
These professors developed techniques to construct frameworks with large gaps amid the molecules, permitting different compounds to pass within them.
Such materials are known as metal-organic frameworks.
The declaration was delivered by the Swedish scientific body in a media briefing in the Swedish capital.
Professor Kitagawa is affiliated with the University of Kyoto in Japan, Prof. Robson is associated with the University of Melbourne in the Australian continent, and Omar Yaghi is connected to the California University in the United States.
Recent Nobel Recipients in Science Categories
During the prior award cycle, three other scientists received the award for their research on protein structures, which are fundamental components of life.
It is the 3rd science recognition given this week. On Tuesday, John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis won the Nobel Prize in Physics for their contributions on subatomic physics that enabled the creation of the quantum computer.
On Monday, three scientists investigations on how the immune system attacks harmful microbes won them the prize for medical science.
One recipient, Dr. Ramsdell, missed the notification for 20 hours because he was on an off-grid trek.
