The Nobel Committee on Chemistry has recognized an achievement that holds promise for the recovery of refrigerants

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the prize to three researchers: Susumu Kitagawa from Kyoto University (Japan), Richard Robson from the University of Melbourne (Australia), and Omar M. Yagi from the University of California, Berkeley (USA). The award was given for the creation of metal-organic framework structures.

This fundamental discovery has already been put into practice in the field of refrigeration technology, paving the way for the implementation of cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions.

The essence of metal-organic frameworks.

 Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are an innovative class of porous materials that can be compared to "molecular sponges." Their architecture is formed by metal ions connected by organic bridge molecules. This results in a well-ordered crystalline structure with numerous microscopic cavities and channels.

The main value of IOCs lies in their ability to be purposefully designed. Scientists can combine different components to tailor the size, shape, and chemical activity of the pores. This allows them to selectively capture, store, and separate specific gas molecules.

Climate-related applications: partnership with Daikin and refrigerant recovery.

The connection between this award and the refrigeration industry is provided by the work of the recipient, Susumu Kitagawa. He is the CEO of Atomis, a Japanese startup that focuses on the commercialization of IOC-based technologies.

• Investments and Partnerships: In 2023, Atomis was acquired by Daikin Corporation, a global leader in the production of air conditioning systems and refrigerants.
• Use in regeneration: Since 2020, Daikin and Atomis have been jointly developing advanced IOC technologies for the separation and purification of decommissioned refrigerants.
• Technological side: Daikin is already implementing metal-organic frameworks in its production facilities. The goal is to increase the accuracy and speed of cleaning spent refrigerants from impurities, making the recovery process more cost-effective and in line with the circular economy model.

These works are fully in line with Daikin's environmental policy, which previously announced a R-410A refrigerant recycling program aimed at conserving resources and significantly reducing carbon emissions.

Importance for the industry.

The awarding of the Nobel Prize for MOFs highlights the significant potential of this technology to address current challenges in the HVACR field. The introduction of metal-organic frameworks allows for:

• Develop highly efficient and selective systems for cleaning and regenerating refrigerants.
• Create advanced solutions for safe gas storage.
• Further reduction of environmental impact through the use of closed-loop principles.

Thus, a fundamental scientific achievement that has been awarded the highest honor is already serving the practical goals of engineers and manufacturers, defining new directions for progress in the entire industry.