Many people might have come across “SpongeBob” as a TV-series. Well, in 2025 it is time for an update. The Nobel Committee has awarded the Chemistry prize not to SpongeBob, but the research linked to the sponge-like Mofs, i.e. metal-organic frameworks to Kitagawa, Robson, Yaghi. These Mofs have in fact properties similar to a sponge or cages in some applications. They consist of porous materials, which have large surface areas in relation to their apparent volume. Due to the modelling of network structures the surface of a grid can be expanded drastically.
Due to the application of such modelling techniques, the combinations of materials/organics and, thereby, the applications to modern technological challenges have increased tremendously. The exponential growth of research papers based on these foundations largely justify this honourable award. Not only the potential of carbon capture, but also the storage capacity of batteries as well as medical applications might benefit from this basic research and findings, eventually.
Playing around with a sponge, doing your dishes – also for men, or watching Spongebob might be considered differently from now on. Maybe, just start with a virtual visit of the Nobel museum for further inspiration.
