2025年10月8日，瑞典皇家科学院发布公告，美籍约旦裔化学家奥马尔·M·亚吉（Omar M. Yaghi）因在金属有机框架（MOF）材料领域的开创性贡献，与 北川进、理查德·罗布森共同斩获诺贝尔化学奖。亚吉在机场转机时接到了这通来自瑞典的电话，周遭都是行色匆匆的旅客，获得诺奖的通知让他感到非 常意外："这种感觉实在太特别了，我很惊讶。" 不过，如果你了解他的人生经历，你可能会更加惊讶。 牛棚里的童年 1965年，亚吉出生在约旦首都安曼的巴勒斯坦难民聚居区，家中9个孩子挤在一间没有通电的土坯房里，房间的另一半还得留给维持生计的牲畜。对他而 言，童年最深刻的记忆有两个：一是每周或每两周一次的"供水日"，二是图书馆里那张神奇的分子结构图。 "市政供水车只会停留6小时，装满所有储水罐是我童年最重要的任务。"亚吉在采访中回忆道。在水资源极度匮乏的沙漠地区，这些储水罐维系着一家人 十几天的生存，浑浊的水沉淀后，上层的清水供饮用，下层的泥水则用来洗衣喂畜。这种对"匮乏"的切身体验，埋进了他心底，让他日后对"资源高效利 用"有着本能的执念。他的父亲经营着一家小肉铺，虽几乎不会读写，却坚信"教育是唯一的出路"，常对孩子们说： ...

Core Viewpoint - Omar M. Yaghi, a Jordanian-American chemist, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) [3][27]. Background and Early Life - Yaghi was born in 1965 in a Palestinian refugee camp in Amman, Jordan, where he experienced extreme poverty and resource scarcity [8]. - His childhood memories include the weekly water supply day and a fascination with molecular structure diagrams from a chemistry book he discovered at school [9]. - Encouraged by his father, Yaghi moved to the United States at the age of 15, overcoming language barriers and financial hardships to pursue education [11]. Academic Journey - Yaghi pursued a Ph.D. at the University of Illinois, where he became interested in the field of porous materials [14]. - After completing his doctorate, he faced a choice between a high-paying industrial job and an academic position, ultimately choosing the latter for the freedom to explore his research ideas [15]. Breakthrough in MOF Research - In 1995, Yaghi's team made a significant breakthrough by discovering conditions to create a crystal structure that led to the concept of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) [19]. - Despite initial skepticism from the scientific community, Yaghi adhered to his vision, coining the "5% rule" to focus on the minority who supported his work [21]. - The development of MOF-5 in 2003 marked a turning point, demonstrating the potential of MOFs for practical applications, including high surface area and stability [23]. Applications and Impact - Yaghi's research led to the creation of various MOF materials with applications in carbon dioxide capture, hydrogen storage, and water harvesting, addressing global energy and environmental challenges [23]. - His work on MOF-303, which can produce water from air, reflects his childhood experiences with water scarcity [23]. Recognition and Achievements - Yaghi's contributions have been recognized globally, receiving several prestigious awards, including the Albert Einstein World Science Prize and the Wolf Prize in Chemistry [25]. - He has also expanded his research into Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs), further broadening the applications of porous materials [25].