The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry goes to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi. The prize was awarded for their development of metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs for short. These materials consist of regular, highly porous structures that have a large surface area. This allows certain substances to be specifically absorbed, bound or separated.

In practice, MOFs are used, for example, to remove pollutants from water or air, to separate gases such as CO₂ or to support chemical reactions. They therefore open up new possibilities in areas that are also relevant for environmental protection, energy and process engineering. Some MOF materials are now even commercially available and are being continuously developed further.

Prof. Dr. Jens Weber will give an understandable overview of how MOFs are constructed, why their structure is so versatile and how this idea has become one of the most important current developments in chemistry. The lecture is expressly aimed at all interested parties, even those without a background in chemistry.

Date: December 17, 2025, 18:00
Location: Large lecture hall, Room 0.01 (House Z IV)
Theodor-Körner-Allee 8, 02763 Zittau

After the lecture, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and talk to other participants. Drinks will be provided.

An event organized by the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences and Saxony⁵.