09/10/2025
Scientists Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi won the Nobel Prize in chemistry on Wednesday 8 October 2025 for their development of metal–organic frameworks, which an expert likened to Hermione Granger's enchanted handbag in the fictional "Harry Potter" series.
The three laureates, in research dating back to 1989, developed a new form of molecular architecture that—like Hermione's handbag—is small on the outside but very large on the inside, according to Olof Ramström, a member of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry.
"They have created molecular constructions with large spaces through which gases and other chemicals can flow," the committee said.
Hans Ellegren, secretary-general of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, announced the chemistry prize in Stockholm. It was the third prize announced this week.
Robson, 88, is affiliated with the University of Melbourne in Australia, Kitagawa, 74, with Japan's Kyoto University and Yaghi, 60, with the University of California, Berkeley.
The chemists, working separately but adding to each other's breakthroughs, devised ways to make stable metal organic frameworks—which may be compared to the timber framework of a house.
These structures can absorb and contain gases inside these frameworks, with many practical applications today—such as capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or sucking water out of dry desert air.
"Metal-organic frameworks have enormous potential, bringing previously unforeseen opportunities for custom-made materials with new functions," Heiner Linke, chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry, said in a news release.