Composing nanomaterials—open-source platform unites AI and automated synthesis

LMU researcher Professor Alexander Urban and his team have developed a tool that could revolutionize the design of new materials. Synthesizer is a platform that combines automated chemical synthesis, high-throughput characterization, and data-driven modeling. The goal is to control the growth of nanocrystals with unprecedented precision, thereby creating materials with tailor-made optical properties. The results of their work have now been published by the LMU team in Advanced Materials.

Unlike previous data-driven approaches, Synthesizer is the first platform to connect the entire chain from automated synthesis and optical high-throughput characterization to the AI-supported derivation of concrete design rules within an open and modular system.

"Today, we can compose material properties almost like a melody, note by note, parameter by parameter," says Urban. That is exactly what Synthesizer enables. Using the platform, variants of halide perovskites can be produced and characterized automatically, while an AI model learns which chemical combinations lead to specific colors, brightness levels or stabilities.

The optical properties of halide perovskites such as color, brightness or emission width determine their use in LEDs, solar cells or sensors. "Even the smallest differences in nanocrystal size, shape and structure can shift light emission," explains Nina Henke, first author and doctoral researcher in Urban's team. "Fine-tuning is therefore essential in order to develop materials that are precisely tailored to specific applications."

A turbo boost for the development of halide perovskites

What makes Synthesizer special is that the platform is open, flexible, and expandable. It was originally developed for halide perovskites but is, in principle, suitable for other material classes as well.

In the future, researchers will be able to automate syntheses, systematically vary parameters and generate valuable data sets in a very short time. The AI model then translates this data into concrete design rules. In the journal article, the researchers not only present the concept but also release Synthesizer as a freely available and modularly adaptable platform.

"Our goal is to accelerate materials research and enable precise predictions," says Urban. "This makes it possible to create crystals with specifically tuned optical and physical properties and to further advance optoelectronics and photonics."

The synthesizer platform is compatible with existing systems for automated synthesis. The LMU team is currently working on integrating its development into the laboratory routine.