Nobel Prize in Chemistry Laureates. Yonhap News. 

This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to three scientists for their pioneering work in creating a new molecular structure called Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs).

Following their Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine just two days ago, Japan has now clinched the Chemistry prize, achieving a double win in this year's Nobel Prizes.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences' Nobel Committee announced on October 8 (local time) that Susumu Kitagawa (74), a professor at Kyoto University in Japan, Richard Robson (88), a professor at the University of Melbourne in Australia, and Omar M. Yaghi (60), a professor at UC Berkeley in the United States, have been selected as the laureates for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

MOFs are framework structures created by connecting metal ions with organic molecules, featuring numerous microscopic pores that allow other molecules to enter, exit, or be adsorbed. Experts liken MOFs to Hermione Granger's bag from the "Harry Potter" series, according to AP.

Just as Hermione's bag appears small but can hold an infinite amount of large and important items, MOFs, due to their porosity, conceal an astonishingly large internal surface area despite their outward appearance.

Through these physical properties, MOFs have opened up new opportunities to address major human challenges, such as capturing carbon dioxide to combat global warming, extracting moisture from the air to solve water scarcity in deserts, and densely storing hydrogen fuel.

Heiner Linke, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry, stated, "Metal-organic frameworks have enormous potential. They have opened up unforeseen opportunities to create customized materials with new functionalities."

Olof Ramström, a member of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry, added, "Even a small amount of such material can act like Hermione's handbag from Harry Potter. It can store a vast amount of gas in a very small volume."

The Nobel Committee explained that Robson, in 1989, created an MOF structure centered around copper cations, resembling a diamond but with many empty spaces within. However, this structure was unstable and prone to collapse.

Subsequently, Kitagawa demonstrated that gases could freely pass through MOF structures and that MOFs could be made flexible. Yaghi succeeded in creating robust and stable MOFs.

The Nobel Committee stated, "Since then, chemists worldwide have created tens of thousands of MOFs, some of which are used to solve major human problems such as carbon capture, water scarcity, and environmental remediation."

Announcement of Nobel Prize in Chemistry Laureates. Reuters = Yonhap News. 

With Professor Kitagawa's Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Japan has achieved a remarkable feat of two Nobel Prize wins in science alone this year, following the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Among the three laureates announced for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on October 6 was Professor Shimon Sakaguchi of Osaka University in Japan.

Professor Kitagawa expressed his joy and honor during a press conference for the award announcement, stating by phone to the assembled reporters, "I am deeply honored and happy that the research I have been pursuing for a long time has been recognized."

Co-laureate Professor Robson is of British origin, and Professor Yaghi, born to Palestinian parents, holds Jordanian, American, and Saudi Arabian nationalities.

The laureates will equally share the prize money of 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately 1.64 billion Korean won).

Following the announcement of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and Physics, the Nobel Committee will announce the laureates for Literature on October 9, for Peace on October 10, and for Economic Sciences on October 13.

Yonhap News