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Automated discovery of novel thin film functionalities

Automated discovery of novel thin film functionalities
Diagram of the integrated multifunctional environmental characterization system (IMECS) for accelerated discovery of novel thin film functionalities

Scientific Achievement

Demonstrated an automated materials multifunctional characterization platform with computer-centered experiments using real-time data fitting and modeling response.

Significance and Impact

This advance provides a flexible multi-instrument hardware-software platform, for efficient computer-controlled material characterization, data processing, and modeling. The system can be integrated with ML-controlled materials syntheses for autonomous materials discovery.

Research Details

  • Developed, built, and integrated a capability for simultaneous measurement of viscoelastic, electric (DC and AC), and optical responses of thin films (polymers, small molecules, and nanomaterials) in vacuum and ambient dynamic environments
  • Real time computer-controlled optimization of experiment based on an active feedback loop
  • Cloud-based data analytics including advanced data fitting and modeling using machine learning (ML) algorithms

E.S. Muckley, et al., ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 15, 2329-2340 (2023). DOI: 10/1021/acsami2c16088