Nobel Prize in Chemistry Winners Develop 'Harry Potter-Like' Metal-Organic Frameworks for Environmental Solutions

Scientists Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi were awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry for their groundbreaking development of metal-organic frameworks, revolutionary structures compared to Hermione Granger's magical handbag from the "Harry Potter" series.

Stockholm announced the prestigious award recognizing these researchers' contributions to creating molecular architectures capable of absorbing and containing gases within stable structures.

The innovative metal-organic frameworks possess remarkable properties - appearing small externally while containing vast internal capacity, according to Olof Ramström from the Nobel Committee for Chemistry, drawing the parallel to the fictional enchanted bag.

Though working independently, the three chemists built upon each other's discoveries, with the initial breakthrough coming from Robson in 1989.

Heiner Linke, chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry, highlighted the enormous potential of these frameworks, noting they bring "previously unforeseen opportunities for custom-made materials with new functions."

The committee specifically mentioned the frameworks' potential application in separating persistent "forever chemicals" (PFAS) from water supplies - substances that have accumulated in our environment over decades.

Hans Ellegren, secretary-general of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, delivered the announcement in Stockholm, marking the third Nobel Prize revealed this week.

The three laureates represent prestigious institutions: Robson, 88, from the University of Melbourne in Australia; Kitagawa, 74, from Japan's Kyoto University; and Yaghi, 60, from the University of California, Berkeley.

Following the announcement, Kitagawa expressed his gratitude: "I'm deeply honored and delighted that my long-standing research has been recognised."

Earlier this week, the 2024 Nobel Prize honored David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper for their pioneering work using advanced technologies including artificial intelligence to decode and design novel proteins.

Monday's Nobel Prize in medicine was awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi for their discoveries regarding peripheral immune tolerance.

The physics prize on Tuesday recognized John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis for their quantum tunneling research that advances digital communications and computing.

The Nobel announcements continue with literature on Thursday, followed by the Peace Prize on Friday and the economics prize on Monday.

The formal Nobel ceremony will take place on December 10, commemorating the death anniversary of Alfred Nobel, the dynamite inventor and wealthy Swedish industrialist who established the prestigious awards before his death in 1896.