Three scientists, Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi, have won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for developing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), innovative molecular structures capable of trapping vast quantities of gas and liquid, with transformative potential for environmental and medical challenges.
The 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi for their pioneering work on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). These structures, likened to Hermione Granger's bottomless magical handbag, are stable atomic arrangements with customizable holes designed to trap specific molecules like greenhouse gases or water. Their discovery holds immense promise for addressing some of humanity's greatest challenges, including sucking greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, harvesting moisture from desert air to provide clean drinking water, and even enabling targeted drug delivery within the body. While challenges remain in translating laboratory breakthroughs to real-world applications, MOFs are already being used in practical ways, such as in packaging to keep fruit fresh, underscoring their significant impact and future potential.
