Int'l Centre for Theoretical Physics 33d ago

Watch the 2025 Chemistry Nobel laureate Omar M. Yaghi as he presents cutting-edge research on covalent organic frameworks (COFs), molecular weaving, and AI-driven materials discovery. This special colloquium, jointly organized by ICTP and the University of Trieste, will feature a live lecture followed by a panel discussion with leading scientists in the fields of chemistry and materials design. In this talk, Yaghi will introduce COFs as a versatile class of crystalline porous materials with precise control over composition, topology, and function. He will explore their potential in carbon capture and climate solutions, and present the emerging concept of molecular weaving—where interlaced molecular structures create materials with enhanced robustness, flexibility, and novel properties. The lecture will also highlight how artificial intelligence is transforming materials science by enabling predictive design of structures, properties, and synthesis pathways. Yaghi’s lecture will be followed by a panel discussion with Laura Gagliardi of the University of Chicago, Hexiang Deng of Wuhan University, and Paolo Fornasiero of the University of Trieste. The panel will be moderated by ICTP Senior Researcher Ralph Gebauer. About the speaker: Omar M. Yaghi is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, and a pioneer in reticular chemistry. His work on MOFs and COFs is at the forefront of research in energy, sustainability, and climate technologies. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2025. Yaghi is also the Founding Director of the Berkeley Global Science Institute, whose mission is to build centers of research in developing countries and provide opportunities for young scholars to discover and learn. He is also the Co-Director of the Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute, the California Research Alliance by BASF, as well as the Bakar Institute of Digital Materials for the Planet.