Chemistry Nobel Award Recognizes 3 Scientists for Groundbreaking Studies on Framework Materials

This year's Nobel Prize in the field of chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M Yaghi for their influential contributions on MOFs.

The scientists' investigations has potential to tackle some of the pressing global issues, including capturing carbon dioxide to combat global warming or curbing synthetic debris through sophisticated scientific methods.

“I'm deeply honoured and delighted, thank you very much,” remarked the Japanese scientist in a telephone conversation with the press briefing after receiving the announcement.

“What’s the duration I need to remain? I have an appointment to attend,” the laureate continued.

The three laureates receive award funds totaling 11 mln SEK (about £872k).

Molecular Architecture on a Center of the Breakthrough

Their researchers' work involves how molecules are built in unison into elaborate networks. The Nobel committee termed it “molecular design”.

These scientists formulated techniques to build frameworks with considerable spaces among the components, permitting gases and other chemicals to pass within them.

These materials are known as metal-organic frameworks.

The reveal was delivered by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences at a media briefing in Stockholm.

Professor Kitagawa is based at Kyoto University in the Asian nation, Professor Richard Robson works for the Melbourne University in Australia, and Prof. Yaghi is connected to the University of California in the USA.

Earlier Nobel Recipients in Scientific Fields

Last year, Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker received the honor for their research on protein structures, which are essential building blocks of biological systems.

This is the third scientific award awarded this week. On Tuesday, John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis earned the physics award for their research on subatomic physics that paved the way for the creation of the quantum processor.

On Monday, 3 scientists studies on how the body's defenses targets harmful microbes won them the honor for medicine.

One recipient, Dr. Ramsdell, did not receive the announcement for nearly a day because he was on an remote outing.