Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics have emerged as powerful tools to accelerate materials research, but there are still challenges in realizing the potential of computational designs in the laboratory. One question increasingly asked in the context of building autonomous laboratories is, 'will robots replace scientists?' In this talk, we explore how emerging technologies can augment and amplify human expertise, leading to redefine the landscape of materials discovery.
As an experimental chemist, crystallographer and materials data scientist with experience in both academia and industry, I will present examples of data-driven approaches that facilitate the synthesis of inorganic and hybrid materials. Additionally, I will briefly share high-throughput characterization techniques that identify structure-property relationships for materials in clean energy applications.
Through my own experiences, I will discuss questions such as how to initiate experimental campaigns for hypothetical materials, the emerging advances in automating workflows for accelerated materials discovery, and the challenges associated with addressing complexities such as disorder, dynamics, and heterogeneity in the fascinating world of experimental materials science.
Dr. Shijing Sun is an assistant professor at the University of Washington, leading the UW Sun Lab. Her research primarily focuses on autonomous materials design and collaborative intelligence, specifically aimed at advancing clean energy technologies. She has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles in materials engineering, battery intelligence, and lab automation, along with delivering over 25 invited talks worldwide. Before joining UW, Dr. Sun held the position of senior research scientist at the Toyota Research Institute, located in Silicon Valley. During her time there, she dedicated her efforts to the development of AI-powered solutions aimed at accelerating materials discovery and design for electric vehicle batteries and fuel cells. Prior to her work at the Toyota Research Institute, Dr. Sun worked as a research scientist with Prof. Tonio Buonassisi at MIT, leading the development of high-throughput synthesis and characterization methods for thin-film solar cells. Dr. Sun completed her academic studies at Trinity College, University of Cambridge, where she obtained her B.A. in Natural Sciences, and M.Sci., and Ph.D. degrees in materials science under Prof. Anthony K. Cheetham.