The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to material scientists Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi for their pioneering work on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are crystalline structures capable of passing gases and chemicals through large open cavities.

These MOFs, often compared to Hermione Granger's enchanted handbag for their small exterior and expansive interior, have significant potential in environmental and industrial applications such as water extraction, carbon capture, toxic gas storage, and catalysis.

The laureates, from Japan, Australia, and the U.S., built upon each other's breakthroughs starting in 1989, with Robson's early influential work laying the foundation for the field.

Omar Yaghi, born in Amman in 1965, moved to the U.S. at age 15 to pursue higher education, earning his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, and is now a professor at UC Berkeley recognized as the father of reticular chemistry.

Yaghi's research has led to over 300 publications and more than 250,000 citations, emphasizing his influence in the field and his role in developing materials with precise molecular control.

Yaghi describes his field as 'reticular chemistry,' which involves linking molecular building blocks into crystalline frameworks, a process that enables the design of materials with specific environmental and industrial applications.

His work, along with Kitagawa and Robson, has demonstrated that increasing the size of cavities in MOFs can be achieved by using longer linkers, leading to rapid advancements in the field.

The development of MOFs began in 1989, with Robson's initial influential papers, and has since expanded into a vibrant research area with ongoing efforts to commercialize these materials for green technology.

The Nobel committee highlighted that these frameworks could help solve major global challenges by providing innovative solutions for environmental management, such as reducing greenhouse gases and improving resource efficiency.

Yaghi emphasizes that science is a powerful equalizer, enabling talented individuals everywhere to succeed if given opportunities, and he takes pride in his contributions to this global potential.

Yaghi's journey from childhood in Amman to international scientific prominence underscores the importance of nurturing talent and fostering global collaboration in science.

Despite their groundbreaking nature, MOFs remain a dynamic area of research, with ongoing exploration of new applications that could further impact sustainability and technological innovation.