Chemistry Nobel Award Recognizes 3 Scientists for Groundbreaking Work on Framework Materials
The prestigious award in the field of chemistry goes to three distinguished scientists for their foundational work on porous materials.
The scientists' research may help solve some of the major planetary challenges, including CO2 capture to address global warming or reducing plastic pollution through innovative scientific methods.
“It’s a profound honor and pleasure, thank you,” stated Prof. Kitagawa in a call with the media event subsequent to receiving the announcement.
“How much time must I spend here? I need to leave for a scheduled meeting,” the laureate added.
The three laureates are splitting prize money amounting to SEK 11 million (about £872k).
Molecular Architecture on a Heart of their Discovery
The scientists' work centers around how molecules are structured in unison into complex frameworks. Award organizers described it as “molecular architecture”.
The professors devised techniques to build assemblies with considerable spaces between the molecules, allowing different compounds to flow through them.
Such materials are called metal-organic materials.
This reveal was presented by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences at a media briefing in the Swedish capital.
Susumu Kitagawa is based at Kyoto University in the Asian nation, Richard Robson works for the Melbourne University in Australia, and Professor Omar M. Yaghi is at the University of California in the United States.
Previous Award Laureates in Science Fields
In the previous year, three other scientists were granted the honor for their studies on biological molecules, which are essential components of biological systems.
It is the 3rd scientific recognition presented recently. Previously, three physicists received the Physics Nobel for their work on subatomic physics that enabled the advancement of the quantum computing system.
On Monday, 3 researchers work on how the biological immunity attacks hostile infections secured them the award for medicine.
One winner, Dr. Ramsdell, missed the announcement for nearly a day because he was on an off-grid outing.
