The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi for their groundbreaking research on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of materials with immense potential for addressing some of the most pressing environmental and technological challenges of our time. The award recognizes their pioneering work in the design, synthesis, and application of MOFs, which are highly porous structures capable of absorbing and storing large quantities of gases and liquids.
Prof. Kitagawa, a Japanese chemist at Kyoto University, has been at the forefront of MOF research for decades, contributing significantly to the understanding of their structural properties. His collaboration with Professor Robson from the University of Cambridge and Professor Yaghi from the University of California, Berkeley, has led to transformative advances in the field. The trio’s work has laid the foundation for innovations in areas such as carbon capture, hydrogen storage, and water purification, all of which are critical in the fight against climate change and the global freshwater crisis.
The Nobel Committee highlighted the potential of MOFs to revolutionize energy storage and environmental remediation, noting that their applications could lead to more efficient and sustainable technologies. The award is expected to accelerate further research and investment in MOF-based solutions, which could play a vital role in achieving global climate targets. As the world continues to seek innovative ways to mitigate environmental damage and ensure access to clean water, the contributions of these three scientists are poised to have a lasting impact on future generations.