The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences is poised to announce the winners of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and speculation among experts and analysts is centering on two revolutionary fields: the development of novel, custom-designed materials and fundamental advances in energy storage. These areas of research are seen as critical for addressing pressing global challenges, particularly climate change and environmental sustainability. The work of pioneers in metal-organic frameworks and next-generation battery technologies is considered to be of the exceptional caliber that the Nobel committee frequently recognizes, honoring discoveries that reshape science and offer profound benefits to humanity.
This year’s contenders represent a major shift in how chemists design and build matter from the molecular level up. The leading names are associated with materials that can be precisely tailored to perform specific tasks, such as capturing carbon dioxide from the air or storing hydrogen for clean energy. On the energy front, researchers who have laid the groundwork for more powerful, durable, and efficient batteries are also seen as strong candidates. An award in either of these areas would underscore the central role of chemistry in developing the technologies needed for a sustainable future, highlighting a move toward what many call “green chemistry.”
Pioneers of Porous Materials
Among the top contenders are the architects of a groundbreaking class of materials known as metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs. These highly porous, crystalline structures have been lauded for their transformative potential across numerous fields, from environmental science to materials engineering. Three scientists are consistently named as the seminal figures in this domain: Omar M. Yaghi of the University of California, Berkeley; Susumu Kitagawa of Kyoto University, Japan; and Richard Robson of the University of Melbourne, Australia. Their collective work established the foundational principles of MOFs and demonstrated their vast real-world applicability.
The Architects of MOFs
The development of MOFs was not the work of a single lab but a culmination of complementary breakthroughs. Richard Robson, born in the UK in 1937, is credited with pioneering the initial concept. His early work involved combining positively charged copper ions with organic molecules to create diamond-like crystals with large internal cavities. While these early frameworks were often unstable, they provided the essential blueprint for what was to come.
Building on this foundation, Susumu Kitagawa, born in Kyoto in 1951, made a critical discovery. He demonstrated the flexibility and gas permeability of MOFs, showing that these porous structures could be designed to selectively trap and release specific gases. This was a crucial step in transforming MOFs from chemical curiosities into functional, adaptable materials for practical applications. His research was instrumental in establishing the field and proving its potential.
Omar M. Yaghi, born in Amman, Jordan, in 1965, is recognized for developing highly stable MOFs and introducing rational design principles that allowed scientists to build them with unprecedented control. His work enabled the creation of frameworks with precisely customizable properties, leading to an explosion in the field. This systematic approach has resulted in tens of thousands of unique MOF variants, each with potential uses in chemistry, energy, and environmental solutions.
From Blueprints to Breakthroughs
At their core, metal-organic frameworks are molecular architectures made of metal ions or clusters linked together by long, rigid organic molecules. The result is a repeating, scaffold-like structure with a vast internal surface area and precisely defined pores. The true innovation lies in their tunability; by carefully selecting the metal and organic components, scientists can design MOFs with cavities of a specific size and chemical environment, tailoring them to capture, store, or catalyze particular substances.
The applications stemming from this technology are far-reaching. MOFs have already been used to harvest water directly from desert air, providing a potential solution to water scarcity in arid regions. They are also highly effective at capturing carbon dioxide, separating toxic gases from industrial emissions, and storing hydrogen for fuel cells. Some variants can even conduct electricity or act as highly efficient catalysts for chemical reactions, opening new doors in electronics and manufacturing.
Revolutionizing Energy Storage
Alongside the pioneers of MOFs, experts are also looking closely at chemists who have made fundamental contributions to energy storage. French scientist Jean-Marie Tarascon is a frequently mentioned contender for his significant advances in new battery technologies. As the world increasingly shifts toward electrification for transportation and relies on renewable energy sources like solar and wind, the need for better energy storage solutions has become paramount. Tarascon’s work has been pivotal in advancing the science behind modern batteries, particularly lithium-ion technology.
His research has led to a deeper understanding of the electrochemical processes inside batteries, enabling the development of safer, more powerful, and longer-lasting energy storage devices. These improvements are critical not only for consumer electronics like smartphones and laptops but also for the expansion of the electric vehicle market and for stabilizing power grids that incorporate intermittent renewable energy sources. A Nobel Prize for battery technology would recognize the profound impact this research has on global energy systems and efforts to decarbonize the economy.
A Greener Future on the Horizon
The intense speculation around both MOFs and advanced batteries reflects a broader theme: the recognition of chemistry’s role in tackling climate change. Many commentators have noted the Nobel committee’s increasing tendency to honor research with clear societal and environmental benefits. Both of these fields epitomize this trend, offering tangible solutions to some of the most significant challenges of the 21st century. They represent a form of “green chemistry” that focuses on sustainability, efficiency, and environmental stewardship.
Capturing Carbon and Harvesting Water
The environmental applications of metal-organic frameworks are particularly compelling. Their exceptional ability to selectively adsorb gases makes them ideal candidates for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. MOFs can be designed to bind tightly to CO2 molecules, filtering them out of emissions from power plants or even directly from the atmosphere. This could provide a vital tool in the fight against global warming. Furthermore, their use in water harvesting from air in even the driest climates offers a revolutionary approach to combating water scarcity, a problem exacerbated by climate change.
The Next Generation of Batteries
Advances in battery technology, such as those pioneered by Jean-Marie Tarascon, are equally crucial for a sustainable future. High-capacity, fast-charging, and durable batteries are the enabling technology for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, which is essential for reducing emissions from the transportation sector. They also solve the intermittency problem of renewable energy sources; by storing excess energy generated when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing, advanced batteries can ensure a stable and reliable power supply, paving the way for a fossil-fuel-free electricity grid.
The Path to the Stockholm Stage
The final decision rests with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which will unveil the laureates on Wednesday in Stockholm. The selection process is famously secretive, but firms like Clarivate, which tracks citations in scientific papers, often provide accurate predictions by identifying researchers whose work is most frequently cited by their peers. David Pendlebury of Clarivate has previously highlighted Jean-Marie Tarascon for his contributions to energy storage, lending weight to the speculation. Whether the prize recognizes the elegant molecular architecture of MOFs or the powerful potential of advanced batteries, an award in either field would celebrate chemistry’s pivotal role in creating a more sustainable and resilient world.
