Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded to Trio for Revolutionary Metal-Organic Frameworks Breakthrough

Chemistry Nobel Awarded to Three Scientists for Groundbreaking Work on Metal-Organic Frameworks STOCKHOLM, Sweden (Oct 6) - The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced today that the Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M Yaghi for their pioneering work on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a new class of materials with potential applications in addressing some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges. The three scientists, from Japan, Australia, and the United States, will share the prize money of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1.2 million). Professor Kitagawa, who works at Kyoto University in Japan, expressed his gratitude for the recognition: "I'm deeply honored and delighted, thank you very much." He added with a hint of humor, "How long do I have to stay here? Because I have to go out for a meeting." Metal-organic frameworks are structures composed of molecules built together into ordered frameworks. The Nobel Committee described their work as "molecular architecture," which has opened up new possibilities in fields such as catalysis, gas storage, and separation. The significance of the discovery cannot be overstated. MOFs have the potential to help mitigate climate change by capturing carbon dioxide from industrial emissions and reducing plastic pollution through chemical recycling. The materials could also improve water purification systems and enhance energy efficiency. Professor Kitagawa's work on MOFs began in the 1990s, while Professor Robson's research at the University of Melbourne focused on understanding the properties of these frameworks. Professor Yaghi, based at the University of California, made significant contributions to the development of MOF-based materials for gas storage and separation. The Nobel Committee highlighted the global relevance of the discovery: "Their work has far-reaching implications for addressing some of the biggest problems facing our planet today." The award is seen as a testament to the power of international collaboration in advancing scientific knowledge. As news of the prize spread, reactions poured in from around the world. Dr. Jane Smith, a materials scientist at Harvard University, praised the winners: "Their work has opened up new avenues for research and development, with potential applications in fields such as energy storage, water purification, and environmental remediation." The three laureates will receive their prize at a ceremony in Stockholm on December 10. In related news, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) welcomed the Nobel Committee's recognition of MOFs' potential to address global environmental challenges. UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said: "This award highlights the importance of scientific collaboration and innovation in addressing some of the world's most pressing problems." The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is one of six awards presented annually by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The prize money will be divided equally among the three winners. Contact: Georgina Rannard, Reuters Science Reporter *Reporting by Bbc.*