Professor Susumu Kitagawa is a world-renowned leader in materials chemistry and a pioneering figure in the development of advanced porous materials. He currently serves as Distinguished Professor at Kyoto University's Institute for Advanced Science and the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, holding the prestigious position of Executive Vice-President for Research Promotion since 2024. After obtaining his Ph.D. in hydrocarbon chemistry from Kyoto University between 1975 and 1979, he established himself as a transformative researcher in coordination chemistry, eventually co-founding the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences. His career trajectory from dedicated researcher to institutional leadership exemplifies his profound impact on both scientific discovery and academic administration at one of Asia's most prestigious universities.
Kitagawa's groundbreaking research revolutionized materials science through his 1997 discovery and demonstration of porosity in metal complexes using gas sorption experiments, which established the foundation for porous coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks. He was the first to predict the softness of these crystalline materials and demonstrate their responsive framework changes when exposed to external stimuli, enabling functions in gas storage, separation, and conversion. His conceptualization of soft porous crystals as a generic term catalyzed a paradigm shift in materials design, transforming what was previously considered a theoretical curiosity into a practical technology with over 7,000 annual publications worldwide and significant industrial applications. His visionary advocacy of the 21st century as the age of gas, where porous materials play crucial roles in environmental, energy, resource, and health challenges, has guided research directions across multiple scientific disciplines.
Beyond his seminal research contributions, Kitagawa has profoundly shaped the global materials science community through his leadership in establishing research frameworks that bridge traditional disciplinary boundaries. His work has earned him the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of metal-organic frameworks, alongside numerous prestigious accolades including the Japan Academy Award and the Chemistry for the Future Solvay Prize. As a Foreign Member of the Royal Society and Highly Cited Researcher for nearly a decade, he continues to influence the next generation of scientists while expanding his research into novel applications of nanospace control. His current work focuses on advancing the fundamental understanding of dynamic porous materials to address pressing global challenges in sustainable energy and environmental protection, ensuring his pioneering legacy continues to evolve and inspire future breakthroughs in materials science.
