The development of new compounds and novel ways of storing energy are some of the research fields commentators say could be contenders for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry announced Wednesday.
The winner or winners of the prestigious award are scheduled to be unveiled by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm at 11:45 am (0945 GMT).
The chemistry prize follows the physics prize, which on Tuesday honoured Briton John Clarke, Frenchman Michel Devoret and American John Martinis for work putting quantum mechanics into action — enabling the development of all kinds of digital technology.
Lars Brostrom, science editor at public broadcaster Sveriges Radio, told AFP that he felt the chemistry prize “should go to something that has significance for the climate or the environment”.
Commentators have for years buzzed about American-Jordanian Omar Yaghi, and Brostrom said he thinks Yaghi’s work could fall under the umbrella of climate.
“Because that chemistry can be a catalyst for all kinds of things related to both climate and the environment,” Brostrom said.
MOF (metal-organic framework), a sort of customized porous material created by Yaghi, is currently utilized in commercial items that have the ability to absorb and cleanse pollutants, function as a catalyst, and even absorb water from desert air.
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