Researcher Dr. Maher El-Kady (Kaner group) was recently interviewed by Asharq Al-Awsat, one of the world’s leading international Arabic newspapers, for two feature stories on the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the global impact of the Nobel Prizes on scientific discovery.
The first article examined the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, which recognized Saudi-Jordanian scientist Professor Omar Yaghi, a former UCLA faculty member, for his pioneering research. The second piece explored the broader role of the Nobel Prizes in shaping public engagement with science and inspiring new generations of researchers.
In the article titled Saudi–Jordanian among 3 scientists awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, El-Kady is quoted, “Imagine that you are building a huge network of small (Lego) pieces; some of which are made up of metal atoms, and others of which are organic molecules that act as bridges connecting these atoms. When metals intertwine with organic molecules, a three-dimensional crystalline material is formed, filled with microscopic voids, resembling a crystalline sponge at the atomic level.”
He explained, “The result is an extremely light material, but it has a huge surface area. One gram of it can have a surface area equivalent to that of a football field! These tiny pores are able to capture and store certain molecules, such as gases, water vapor, or organic compounds. That is why these materials are used today in many applications, from storing energy and capturing carbon dioxide from the air, to producing water from atmospheric humidity.”
In the article Why the Nobel Prizes Matter for Science, El-Kady is quoted, “The highest scientific honor in the world that highlights research and discoveries that have changed human lives. In addition, it causes a broad scientific movement and creates an environment of enthusiasm and discovery within the scientific community.” He adds in a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat that “names like Albert Einstein, Marie Curie and Alexander Fleming have become immortal symbols in human memory because the prize does not only honor scientific achievement, but it transforms the person who achieved it into a role model who inspires entire generations of researchers and scientists around the world.”
A native of Egypt, El-Kady received his Ph.D. in chemistry from UCLA in 2013 with Professor Richard Kaner. He is the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Nanotech Energy and an Assistant Researcher in the Kaner group at UCLA. In 2022, El-Kady was named to the “Talented Twelve” by C&EN.
2025 has been a busy year for El-Kady. He was featured in a UCLA Newsroom article with a curated selection of stories from across the UCLA campus spotlighting Arab American voices, histories, and research, and in a UCLA College video in which he discusses his research on next-generation batteries. He was recently featured in a new short film from the Chemistry Shorts series titled Energy to Spare: Building Better Batteries. The seven-minute film highlights El-Kady’s work on next-generation battery technology, specifically zinc-ion batteries, as a safer and more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries. He was also named by CIOLOOK Magazine as one of The 10 Most Influential Leaders in E-Mobility for 2025.
