Nobel Prize Honours Pioneers Behind Materials That Could Heal the Planet

Published: 08 September 2025 | The English Chronicle Online

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to three groundbreaking scientists — Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi — for their pioneering work in developing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a new class of materials that could help solve some of the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges.

Their discovery, which the Nobel Committee described as “molecular architecture,” allows chemists to design structures with microscopic pores capable of trapping and storing gases, including harmful pollutants like carbon dioxide and toxic industrial chemicals. Experts say this breakthrough could transform the fight against climate change and environmental pollution, opening new frontiers in sustainable technology.

Upon receiving the news, Professor Kitagawa of Kyoto University expressed his gratitude and characteristic humility, telling reporters, “I’m deeply honoured and delighted, thank you very much,” before adding with a smile, “How long do I have to stay here? Because I have to go out for a meeting. “The trio will share the prize money of 11 million Swedish kronor (£872,000).

At the core of the trio’s work lies the concept of building molecular structures with vast internal spaces — intricate frameworks where gases and chemicals can pass, interact, and be selectively captured. These “molecular rooms” have the potential to store or neutralize substances that threaten human health and the planet, including carbon dioxide emissions and the notorious “forever chemicals,” known as PFAS.

Their research began independently during the 1970s and 1980s, long before the environmental applications were fully understood. Professor Richard Robson of the University of Melbourne, in an early experiment, reportedly asked technicians to drill holes into laboratory worktops so that he could connect wooden balls and rods to model the bonds between atoms — an ingenious representation of what would later become a revolutionary concept in chemistry.

Meanwhile, Professor Omar M. Yaghi, currently at the University of California, has been widely celebrated for expanding the scope of MOFs, showing how their vast internal surface areas could be tailored to capture specific molecules or even break down hazardous gases used in nuclear weapons.

Although MOFs are still used mainly at small scale, industries worldwide are investing in large-scale production. Research teams are exploring their potential to capture carbon dioxide directly from power plants, industrial facilities, and even the air itself — a technology that could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Companies are also studying how MOFs can help clean up chemical waste and purify water. Scientists believe that this innovation may one day help combat both air and ocean pollution, offering new hope for global sustainability.

Professor Sheila Rowan, vice-president of the Royal Society in the UK, praised the trio’s contribution, saying, “Together, they have helped lay the foundations and set the direction for one of the fastest-growing areas of modern chemistry.”

Her sentiments were echoed by Dr Annette Doherty, president of the Royal Society of Chemistry, who noted that the award highlights the vital role of chemistry in addressing humanity’s greatest challenges. “Every year,” she said, “we see Nobel Prizes given to chemists who seek solutions to the biggest problems our global society faces from healthcare and clean energy to food security and environmental protection.”

The three laureates come from vastly different backgrounds, united by their shared curiosity about the building blocks of matter.

Professor Kitagawa, who has long been inspired by the principle of “the usefulness of useless,” drew upon the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi, who believed that even seemingly impractical ideas could hold immense future value.

Professor Yaghi’s story is equally inspiring. Born in Amman, Jordan, he grew up in a modest home without electricity or running water. His fascination with molecular structures began in childhood, and at just 15, he left for the United States to pursue his dream of scientific discovery — a journey that would eventually reshape modern chemistry.

This year’s Chemistry Nobel marks the third major science prize of the week. On Tuesday, physicists John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis received the Nobel Prize in Physics for their pioneering research in quantum mechanics, which paved the way for the development of quantum computing. Earlier, on Monday, three immunologists were honoured with the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their breakthroughs in understanding how the immune system fights infections.

The announcement of the Chemistry Prize was made by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences at a news conference in Stockholm. The selection reinforces the continuing importance of scientific exploration in solving global problems and ensuring a sustainable future for humanity.

As the laureates prepare to receive their medals and deliver their Nobel lectures later this year, their work stands as a testament to human creativity and perseverance — proof that even the most complex molecular puzzles can yield solutions that benefit all of humankind.