Nobel-winning chemist leaves US to direct AI materials lab in China (www.nature.com)

Nobel-winning chemist Omar Yaghi has relocated from the United States to China to direct a new artificial-intelligence-assisted materials discovery institute at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Having previously held the position of honorary professor since 2022, Yaghi’s move signifies a response to the declining support for scientific research in the U.S., where he perceives a lack of engagement with AI advancements. In interviews, he emphasized that embracing AI is essential for the survival and advancement of research in the United States. Yaghi is renowned for his work on metal-organic framework (MOF) compounds, which have significant applications in gas storage, catalysis, and even drug delivery. His ambition at Tsinghua is to integrate AI, chemistry, and material sciences to address complex challenges and foster collaboration between Eastern and Western scientific traditions. His initiatives, including the Yaghi Science Initiative, aim to enhance global research partnerships and support emerging scientists, heralding a transformative approach to materials discovery and contributing to innovative solutions for global issues.