Do AI-driven chemistry labs actually work?

New metrics promise answers

20-Feb-2024 - The fields of chemistry and materials science are seeing a surge of interest in “self-driving labs,” which make use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated systems to expedite research and discovery. Researchers are now proposing a suite of definitions and performance metrics that will ...

Virtual lab finds the right AI tool for each chemistry problem

"Autonomous systems have tremendous potential for accelerating chemical R&D and manufacturing"

24-Mar-2021 - Having the right tool for the job makes the job a lot easier, less expensive and faster. Chemical engineering researchers have now developed a virtual laboratory that can be used to determine the artificial intelligence (AI) tools best suited for addressing various chemical synthesis challenges ...

Using gold nanoparticles to trigger sequential unfolding of 3D structures

21-Jun-2018 - Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new technique that takes advantage of gold nanoparticles to trigger the sequential unfolding of three-dimensional structures using different wavelengths of light. Specifically, the technique makes use of the fact that different ...

ChemMaps lets researchers navigate the chemical universe

06-Jun-2018 - Researchers from North Carolina State University have created a new online service - ChemMaps - that allows users to interactively navigate the chemical space of over 8,000 drugs and 47,000 environmental compounds in 3D and real time. ChemMaps is designed to be a central resource for students and ...

Tech bends light more efficiently, offers wider angles for light input

11-May-2018 - Engineering and physics researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new technology for steering light that allows for more light input and greater efficiency - a development that holds promise for creating more immersive augmented-reality display systems. At issue are ...

Atomic structure of ultrasound material not what anyone expected

23-Feb-2018 - Lead magnesium niobate (PMN) is a prototypical "relaxor" material, used in a wide variety of applications, from ultrasound to sonar. Researchers have now used state-of-the-art microscopy techniques to see exactly how atoms are arranged in PMN - and it's not what anyone expected. "This work gives ...

Researchers develop faster, precise silica coating process for quantum dot nanorods

13-Jul-2016 - Materials researchers at North Carolina State University have fine-tuned a technique that enables them to apply precisely controlled silica coatings to quantum dot nanorods in a day - up to 21 times faster than previous methods. In addition to saving time, the advance means the quantum dots are ...

Metal foam handles heat better than steel

01-Apr-2016 - A new study from North Carolina State University researchers finds that novel light-weight composite metal foams (CMFs) are significantly more effective at insulating against high heat than the conventional base metals and alloys that they're made of, such as steel. The finding means the CMF is ...

Environmentally friendly lignin nanoparticle 'greens' silver nanobullet to battle bacteria

15-Jul-2015 - North Carolina State University researchers have developed an effective and environmentally benign method to combat bacteria by engineering nanoscale particles that add the antimicrobial potency of silver to a core of lignin, a ubiquitous substance found in all plant cells. The findings introduce ...

Mimicking nature, water-based 'artificial leaf' produces electricity

28-Sep-2010 - A team led by a North Carolina State University researcher has shown that water-gel-based solar devices – "artificial leaves" – can act like solar cells to produce electricity. The findings prove the concept for making solar cells that more closely mimic nature. They also have the potential to be ...