WaHa Inc. proudly celebrates its co-founder, Professor Omar M. Yaghi, recipient of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The global scientific community recognizes Professor Yaghi’s groundbreaking contributions to reticular chemistry—a field he pioneered—and his invention of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), two materials that have reshaped modern chemistry and sustainability science.
The Nobel Committee honored Professor Yaghi for revolutionizing the design of porous materials that have opened new frontiers in clean energy, atmospheric water harvesting, carbon capture, and hydrogen storage. His innovations have enabled scientists and engineers to design molecular architectures with unprecedented precision—structures that can trap, release, or store molecules in ways that directly address some of the world’s most urgent environmental and energy challenges.
A Legacy of Scientific Innovation
Over a career spanning more than three decades, Professor Yaghi has established himself as one of the most influential chemists of the 21st century. His work in reticular chemistry—the art of linking molecular building blocks into extended crystalline structures—has inspired a new paradigm in materials science. The MOFs and COFs that emerged from his laboratory have become indispensable tools in global efforts to develop sustainable technologies.
Professor Yaghi has authored over 300 peer-reviewed papers, collectively cited more than 205,000 times, reflecting both the breadth and depth of his impact across scientific disciplines. His research has bridged fundamental chemistry and real-world applications, fostering innovation at the intersection of molecular design, environmental science, and clean technology.
The Academy’s recognition places Professor Yaghi among a distinguished lineage of Nobel laureates whose discoveries have redefined how humanity understands and interacts with the material world.
From Laboratory Breakthroughs to Global Impact
In 2018, building on decades of academic discovery, Professor Yaghi co-founded WaHa Inc., a climate technology company dedicated to translating MOF science into practical systems that address the global water crisis. The company’s name—short for “Water Harvesting”—reflects its mission to capture clean water from air using advanced MOF-based technologies that operate efficiently even in low-humidity environments.
WaHa’s innovations stem directly from Professor Yaghi’s scientific breakthroughs in materials chemistry. His vision of “chemistry for humanity” drives the company’s ongoing work in atmospheric water generation, low-energy dehumidification, and moisture management solutions. Under his guidance and inspiration, WaHa continues to develop scalable technologies capable of providing clean water sustainably to communities worldwide, regardless of geography or climate.
“Professor Yaghi’s work embodies the bridge between discovery and societal benefit,” said Mike Phillips, Chairman of WaHa. “We are deeply proud of his Nobel Prize recognition, which honors not just his scientific genius but also his enduring belief that chemistry can improve life on Earth. His pioneering discoveries continue to inspire scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs around the world.”
A Mentor and Visionary
Professor Yaghi’s influence extends far beyond his research. Known for his passion for mentorship, he has guided dozens of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who have gone on to become leaders in academia, industry, and innovation. His approach to science emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and global inclusivity, fostering a research culture that prioritizes curiosity-driven exploration alongside real-world problem-solving.
“As one of his former Ph.D. students, I am filled with immense pride,” said Eugene Kapustin, Chief Technology Officer at WaHa. “Omar’s creativity and generosity as a mentor and scientist changed the course of my life—and the lives of so many others. He has always encouraged us to think beyond the laboratory, to envision how chemistry can directly contribute to solving humanity’s greatest challenges.”
Through this spirit of mentorship and open collaboration, Professor Yaghi’s scientific legacy continues to expand globally. His Center for Reticular Chemistry at UC Berkeley and international research collaborations have become incubators for the next generation of innovators in materials science and environmental chemistry.
The Broader Significance of Reticular Chemistry
The Nobel Committee’s decision underscores the transformative power of reticular chemistry, a field that Professor Yaghi first named and developed in the 1990s. Unlike traditional chemistry, which often focuses on individual molecules, reticular chemistry builds extended frameworks by connecting molecular units through strong chemical bonds.
This modular approach has enabled the creation of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs)—materials with tunable pore sizes and chemical functionalities. These frameworks act like molecular sponges, capable of capturing and storing gases, harvesting water from dry air, and catalyzing chemical reactions with extraordinary efficiency.
Such versatility has made MOFs and COFs essential components in numerous fields, including:
- Clean Energy: Hydrogen and methane storage solutions for renewable energy applications.
- Carbon Capture: Efficient sequestration of CO₂ emissions from industrial sources.
- Water Harvesting: Extraction of potable water from the atmosphere in arid regions.
- Catalysis and Drug Delivery: Controlled chemical reactions and molecular transport.
These technologies have already begun influencing industries spanning environmental engineering, energy systems, and sustainable manufacturing, making Professor Yaghi’s scientific contributions not just academically profound but also socially transformative.
WaHa’s Continued Commitment to Science and Sustainability
WaHa’s foundation and ongoing research philosophy are deeply rooted in Professor Yaghi’s scientific principles—rigor, curiosity, and a commitment to real-world impact. The company continues to refine its MOF-based technologies to make atmospheric water generation more scalable, affordable, and energy-efficient.
By integrating fundamental science with advanced engineering, WaHa aims to provide sustainable water solutions for arid regions, disaster relief efforts, and off-grid communities. The company’s technologies exemplify how scientific breakthroughs can evolve into tangible innovations that address critical global needs.
“This recognition of Omar’s work reflects the importance of pursuing basic science,” said Phillips. “WaHa was founded on the idea that deep scientific understanding can lead to revolutionary technologies. While his Nobel Prize stands independent of any commercial enterprise, it reminds us of the universal value of fundamental research as the foundation for innovation.”
Celebrating a Legacy that Transcends Disciplines
Professor Omar Yaghi’s 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry celebrates not only a lifetime of scientific discovery but also a vision for how chemistry can serve humanity. His work in reticular chemistry continues to redefine material design, while his leadership at WaHa demonstrates how those same principles can be applied to solve pressing environmental challenges.
WaHa proudly joins the global community in honoring Professor Yaghi’s achievements and remains inspired by his belief that science, when guided by purpose, can change the world.
With this Nobel recognition, Professor Yaghi’s legacy stands as a testament to the transformative power of curiosity, collaboration, and innovation—a reminder that the pursuit of knowledge, when coupled with a sense of responsibility, can create lasting solutions for generations to come.
