Chemistry Nobel Award Honors 3 Experts for Pioneering Work on Framework Materials
This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry goes to three distinguished scientists for their foundational work on metal-organic frameworks.
The scientists' research has potential to solve some of the major planetary problems, including capturing carbon dioxide to fight climate change or minimizing plastic pollution through advanced scientific methods.
“I'm deeply honoured and delighted, thank you very much,” stated Professor Kitagawa in a telephone conversation with the press briefing after learning the announcement.
“How long do I have to stay here? Because I have to go out for a meeting,” the laureate continued.
These three laureates will share monetary reward of 11 million Swedish kronor (equivalent to ÂŁ872,000).
Framework Construction on a Heart of the Breakthrough
Their researchers' work centers around how chemical compounds are built in unison into intricate frameworks. Award organizers referred to it as “molecular architecture”.
The experts formulated techniques to create frameworks with large spaces among the components, allowing gases and other chemicals to flow through them.
Such structures are referred to as MOFs.
The declaration was presented by the academic institution in a news conference in the Swedish capital.
Susumu Kitagawa is based at the University of Kyoto in the Asian nation, Prof. Robson is associated with the Melbourne University in Australia, and Prof. Yaghi is connected to the California University in the United States.
Previous Award Winners in Science Fields
Last year, Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker won the prize for their work on proteins, which are fundamental building blocks of life.
It is the 3rd science recognition awarded this week. On Tuesday, three physicists earned the physics award for their work on quantum mechanics that facilitated the creation of the quantum computing system.
On Monday, 3 experts' studies on how the immune system targets pathogens earned them the prize for medicine.
A single winner, Dr. Ramsdell, did not receive the notification for nearly a day because he was on an disconnected outing.
