Richard Robson Honoured for Pioneering Metal-Organic Frameworks
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Professor Richard Robson of the University of Melbourne, alongside Professor Susumu Kitagawa from Kyoto University and Professor Omar M. Yaghi from the University of California. The trio was recognized by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for their groundbreaking work in developing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) — a revolutionary class of materials that have transformed modern chemistry.
MOFs are crystalline compounds consisting of metal ions linked by organic molecules, forming porous structures with vast internal surface areas. These materials have far-reaching applications, from gas and energy storage to catalysis and hydrogen fuel technologies.
Speaking after the announcement, Richard Robson described the honour as “a great pleasure and privilege,” while humbly crediting his long-time collaborators Bernard Hoskins and Brendan Abrahams for their vital roles in developing the early framework of the research.
From Melbourne Lab to Global Recognition
Professor Richard Robson, who joined the University of Melbourne in 1966, is celebrated as one of the foundational figures in coordination chemistry. His early research in the 1990s laid the groundwork for what would later become the modern field of MOFs.
After nearly six decades at the university, Richard Robson continues to teach first-year chemistry students, even returning to the classroom the day after his Nobel Prize announcement. His passion for discovery and education has inspired generations of young scientists across Australia and beyond.
University Vice-Chancellor Professor Emma Johnston AO praised Robson’s dedication, stating, “This is the kind of blue-sky research that very few get to explore, and even fewer achieve such transformative breakthroughs. Professor Robson’s work shows how fundamental research drives technological innovation, such as the ability to store and transfer hydrogen safely.”
A Testament to Curiosity and Collaboration
The Nobel Prize Richard Robson received reflects not only scientific brilliance but also decades of persistence and collaboration. As Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Mark Cassidy noted, “He’s a humble man who has achieved this honour by simply doing what he loves—thinking big chemistry thoughts for decades and running experiments.”
The Richard Robson Nobel Prize in Chemistry is expected to reignite global interest in MOF research, potentially leading to major innovations in clean energy, environmental protection, and carbon capture technologies. Professor Cassidy added that this recognition “will no doubt spark a flurry of further research into developing MOFs into products that could be crucial to the renewable energy revolution.”
Long Legacy of Excellence
Over his career, Richard Robson has earned numerous accolades, including election as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2022 and the establishment of a Professorial Chair in Chemistry named in his honour at the University of Melbourne in 2024.
He now joins an elite group of Australian Nobel Laureates connected to the University of Melbourne, including Elizabeth Blackburn (2009), Peter Doherty (1996), and Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet (1960).
Nobel Prize 2025 Highlights the Power of Fundamental Science
The Nobel Prize 2025 announcement underscores the importance of fundamental, curiosity-driven research in shaping the technologies of the future. As Professor Johnston emphasized, “If we are to solve the world’s greatest challenges—climate change, sustainable energy, and resource management—it will be built upon the foundation of long-term, fundamental research that universities like ours make possible.”
Professor Richard Robson’s achievement not only marks a proud moment for Australian science but also demonstrates how decades of dedication to pure chemistry can lead to discoveries with global impact.
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