Chemistry Nobel Award Honors 3 Researchers for Innovative Research on MOF Structures
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to three distinguished scientists for their seminal research on metal-organic frameworks.
The scientists' research may help solve numerous major worldwide challenges, for instance capturing carbon dioxide to address environmental shifts or reducing synthetic debris through sophisticated chemical processes.
“I feel tremendously honored and overjoyed, many thanks,” said Prof. Kitagawa during a phone call to the media event following receiving the announcement.
“How long do I have to stay here? Because I have to go out for a meeting,” he noted.
The three recipients are splitting prize money totaling 11 million Swedish kronor (equivalent to £872,000).
Framework Construction on a Heart of the Discovery
The scientists' studies involves how molecules are built in unison into complex frameworks. The selection panel termed it “molecular design”.
These experts devised methods to construct structures with considerable voids among the molecules, permitting gases and other chemicals to pass through them.
Such structures are called MOFs.
This reveal was made by the academic institution at a media briefing in the Swedish capital.
Prof. Kitagawa works at Kyoto University in Japan, Professor Richard Robson works for the University of Melbourne in the Australian continent, and Professor Omar M. Yaghi resides at the University of California in the United States.
Previous Award Laureates in Science Fields
During the prior award cycle, Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker won the award for their research on protein structures, which are essential components of life.
It is the 3rd scientific award awarded recently. Earlier this week, John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis earned the Physics Nobel for their contributions on subatomic physics that enabled the advancement of the quantum computer.
Earlier, 3 scientists work on how the immune system combats hostile infections secured them the honor for physiology.
A single winner, Fred Ramsdell, was unaware of the notification for a full day because he was on an off-grid hiking trip.
