Yaghi is a professor of chemistry heading M-U's Materials Design and Discovery Group, focusing on the design and construction of new materials at a molecular level, particularly porous materials that can be used to capture gases or assist in complex liquid separation processes for the chemical and petrochemical industries.

M-U's research has led to the creation of a new class of crystals, with over 500 new porous materials that have been named metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs.

Essentially, the crystalline molecular structures create extremely low-density cages suitable for 'capturing' gases.

Earlier this month, Yaghi and a co-worker published a paper in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, claiming that one particular crystal sponge (MOF-177) had the highest carbon dioxide capacity of any porous material available in the world, able to adsorb 140% of its weight in CO2 at room temperature.

Yaghi estimates that due to the unique storage capacity of MOF-177, four carbon-storage tanks filled with the crystal sponge would be able to contain the same amount of carbon dioxide as nine standard tanks.

New materials such as MOF-177 are expected to play a vital role in the reduction of CO2 emissions, generated by most forms of power generation.

Another key focus of M-U's Materials Design and Discovery Group is the creation of small crystal structures for containing hydrogen or methane for use as portable power sources for laptops and mobile phones.