Instant Genius The tiny molecules tackling the planet’s biggest challenges
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Aug 28, 2025 
Omar Yaghi, a pioneering Professor of Chemistry at UC Berkeley, is at the forefront of materials chemistry. He discusses his groundbreaking work with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), which can capture carbon and extract drinking water from desert air. The conversation dives into how these innovations tackle clean energy and water scarcity challenges. Yaghi also explores the future of material science, emphasizing the role of AI in shaping accessible, custom solutions that could revolutionize environmental sustainability.
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Materials By Design Changes Chemistry
- Reticular chemistry lets chemists build crystalline materials by design from chosen molecular building blocks.
- This design enables precise, characterizable frameworks rather than random 'shake and bake' products.
MOFs And COFs Are Custom Porous Frameworks
- MOFs use metal junctions and COFs are fully organic but both form crystalline porous networks.
- Their ordered pores and strong bonds let us design materials for specific functions like CO2 capture or water harvesting.
Huge Internal Surface Area Is The Key
- Ultra-high internal surface area allows tiny samples to store vast amounts of molecules like CO2 or water.
- Chemical modification of internal pores gives selectivity for targets such as PFAS, organics, hydrogen, or water.