Nobel Prize in Chemistry Honors Three Scientists for Pioneering Studies on Framework Materials
This year's prestigious award in Chemistry is given to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M Yaghi for their foundational research on metal-organic frameworks.
The scientists' investigations may help solve numerous major worldwide problems, for instance CO2 capture to address environmental shifts or minimizing plastic waste through sophisticated chemical processes.
“I feel tremendously honored and overjoyed, many thanks,” remarked the Japanese scientist in a phone call to the media event after learning the announcement.
“How much time must I spend here? I need to leave for a scheduled meeting,” he noted.
These 3 recipients will share monetary reward of 11 million Swedish kronor (£872,000).
Structural Design on a Center of the Achievement
Their researchers' research focuses on how molecules are built in unison into intricate frameworks. Award organizers described it as “structural molecular engineering”.
The experts devised approaches to build frameworks with considerable spaces between the molecules, allowing different compounds to flow within them.
These materials are known as metal-organic frameworks.
The declaration was made by the Swedish scientific body in a news conference in Stockholm, Sweden.
Susumu Kitagawa is affiliated with the University of Kyoto in the Asian nation, Professor Richard Robson works for the University of Melbourne in Australia, and Professor Omar M. Yaghi resides at the UC in the USA.
Previous Nobel Winners in Scientific Categories
Last year, Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker were granted the honor for their research on protein structures, which are critical elements of life.
This is the 3rd science recognition awarded recently. On Tuesday, John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis won the Physics Nobel for their contributions on quantum theory that enabled the development of the quantum processor.
Earlier, three scientists investigations on how the body's defenses combats pathogens earned them the honor for medical science.
A single winner, Dr Fred Ramsdell, missed the news for a full day because he was on an disconnected outing.
