Nordic Life Science 1
52 “My passion is to make these devices available
to everyone, especially people in remote villages and underserved areas, since clean water is a basic human right. Over time, as demand grows and technology advances, the devices will become more affordable, much like smartphones did.” the size of a soccer field. “MOFs are basically networks in which metals are connected by linkers to make what the Nobel Committee call “rooms for other molecules to reside in”. So, they're like rooms in a hotel. The interesting thing about this chemistry is that one can vary the size of the room to fit the molecule that one wants to trap,” Yaghi describes. “What’s fascinating about this chemistry is that it can be done by design and with remarkable precision, right down to the atomic and molecular level. Once you’ve built your M Y ‘molecular hotel,’ you can even modify the interiors of its molecular rooms to create a material tailored for a specific property. The ability to match structure to function, and function to structure, is incredibly powerful,” he points out. OFs can be configured into devices to harvest water from the air and turn it into drinkable water. These devices are soon going to be commercialized and will be valuable not only in arid regions but also in areas where water is abundant yet might be contaminated. They produce clean, mineralized water suitable for drinking, and can also be used for agriculture, hygiene, and household needs. MOFs will give people water independence and control over their own supply. The water is harvested directly from the air, not piped in from a city system, ensuring consistent quality and always providing safe, drinkable water. “My passion is to make these devices available to everyone, especially people in remote villages and underserved areas, since clean water is a basic human right. Over time, as demand grows and technology advances, the devices will become more affordable, much like smartphones did,” says Yaghi. Passion to move forward Omar Yaghi emphasizes the importance of doing what we truly love, because when challenges arise, passion is what keeps us moving forward and striving to be our best. “Finding what we love is how we truly contribute to the world,” he says. “I think one of the best ways to discover your passion is to think deeply about the world around you. Curiosity is what leads us to find what truly inspires us.” Asking important questions is the key to making any meaningful scientific contribution, he tells his students. They often ask him, “Professor, how do I know what an important question is?” And he replies, “The easiest way is to look around and listen carefully to what people are saying doesn’t work and that should be challenging and interesting to research.” aghi is motivated by discovery and loves constantly doing and exploring new things. “There’s nothing more exciting than going to the lab and anticipating that a discovery might be made,” he says. And also mentoring students and guiding them, he adds. “I like to watch as they discover that they are far more capable than they ever imagined. Seeing them grow and push beyond their own expectations inspires me every day.” He is driven by the curiosity of young students who have written him about the Nobel Prize or about harvesting water from the air, and he says to the parents, “Give children the freedom to explore.” Also, to young researchers he says, “Do the experiment. Don’t be afraid to try. Every experiment is a chance for discovery, and discovery can change the world. That’s how you grow, succeed, and make a real impact on society.” The 5% rule Yaghi has also learned to see value in criticism. The nonsupportive people that he has encountered along his path which he calls the ‘naysayers’, who insist ‘this won’t work’, ‘this doesn’t make sense’, have helped him enhance his work and his thinking. “While challenging, that feedback can also be constructive, but resilience and confidence in your approach is key to keep moving forward,” he asserts. And he has even come to believe in what he calls the 5% rule. “When the majority THE NOBEL PRIZE // CHEMISTRY