The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to three researchers for their groundbreaking work on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of compounds known for their versatile structural properties and potential applications. The laureates are Susumu Kitagawa of Kyoto University, Richard Robson of the University of Melbourne, and Omar Yaghi of the University of California, Berkeley.
Their collective research has significantly advanced the understanding and development of MOFs, which are porous materials composed of metal ions coordinated to organic ligands. These structures hold promise for numerous fields, including gas storage, catalysis, and drug delivery, due to their high surface area and tunable properties.
The award highlights the importance of their contributions in expanding the possibilities for designing customized materials with specific functionalities. As the field of MOF research continues to grow, their work is expected to influence innovative solutions across industrial, environmental, and biomedical sectors.
The Nobel Committee emphasized the role of these scientists in pioneering techniques that have opened new avenues in materials science, reaffirming the significance of fundamental research in driving technological progress. The winners will be formally recognized at the upcoming Nobel ceremonies.