Chemistry Nobel Award Recognizes 3 Scientists for Innovative Research on Framework Materials
This year's prestigious award in Chemistry goes to three distinguished scientists for their influential research on metal-organic frameworks.
Their studies could be applied to solve some of the significant worldwide challenges, such as capturing carbon dioxide to fight environmental shifts or minimizing synthetic debris through innovative chemistry.
“It’s a profound honor and pleasure, thank you,” said Prof. Kitagawa during a telephone conversation to the press briefing following learning the news.
“How much time must I spend here? I need to leave for a scheduled meeting,” the laureate noted.
These three winners receive monetary reward of 11 million Swedish kronor (equivalent to £872,000).
Molecular Architecture on a Center of their Breakthrough
The researchers' research involves how molecular units can be assembled together into elaborate frameworks. The Nobel committee referred to it as “molecular architecture”.
These professors developed approaches to create assemblies with substantial gaps amid the molecules, permitting various substances to pass through them.
Such compounds are known as metal-organic frameworks.
This reveal was made by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences at a press event in Stockholm.
Susumu Kitagawa is affiliated with Kyoto University in the Asian nation, Professor Richard Robson is associated with the University of Melbourne in Australia, and Professor Omar M. Yaghi is connected to the University of California in the United States.
Earlier Award Recipients in Science Categories
Last year, Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker were granted the award for their studies on protein structures, which are critical building blocks of living organisms.
It is the 3rd scientific prize given this week. On Tuesday, three physicists won the Physics Nobel for their contributions on quantum mechanics that paved the way for the creation of the quantum processor.
At the start of the week, 3 experts' studies on how the immune system targets pathogens won them the honor for medical science.
A single laureate, Dr. Ramsdell, missed the news for nearly a day because he was on an disconnected hiking trip.