The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Omar Yaghi, a current professor at the University of California, Berkeley, who laid the foundation for his groundbreaking research partly at the University of Michigan. Yaghi’s innovative work on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has earned him this prestigious accolade. The MOFs, which Yaghi developed, consist of metal ions connected by long organic molecules, forming crystals with large cavities. These structures are crucial in addressing global challenges such as carbon dioxide capture, water harvesting from desert air, and environmental purification.
Yaghi’s tenure at the University of Michigan from 1999 to 2006 was instrumental in initiating much of the research that culminated in his Nobel Prize. Neil Marsh, a chemistry professor, emphasized that Yaghi’s achievements underscore the exceptional scientific research at the university. In 1989, Richard Robson, another Nobel laureate, developed the first MOF material, which initially lacked stability. Yaghi, alongside Susumu Kitagawa, worked on stabilizing these structures and demonstrated their potential flexibility.
At Arizona State University and U-M, Yaghi developed a stable MOF with the ability to be modified for new properties. Adam Matzger, a professor at U-M, collaborated with Yaghi, contributing to the characterization of MOFs with unprecedented surface areas. Matzger noted that Yaghi’s innovative design enabled MOFs to host large molecules, outperforming traditional materials like zeolites and activated carbons.
Matzger highlighted the significant advancements in MOF chemistry, comparing it to the graphene revolution. Companies are now commercializing MOFs for applications such as carbon dioxide capture, thanks to their versatility and exceptional properties. Yaghi’s pioneering design approach has been a driving force behind this enduring and expansive field of research.
—
Read More Michigan News
