Self-driving lab speeds up materials development
New research platform at KIT autonomously examines materials for thin-film photovoltaics and other optoelectronic applications
image: The E-MAP consists of a self-contained system, in which robots conduct automated material experiments in a protective atmosphere. (Photo: Holger Röhm, KIT)
Credit: Holger Röhm, KIT
Developing new functional materials often requires testing numerous material combinations. Conventional experiments reach their limits quickly if many variants are to be compared. To overcome this bottleneck, the new Energy Materials Acceleration Platform (E-MAP) at KIT automates central steps in the lab. “Robot systems perform tasks such as preparing materials, handling samples, thin-film deposition and sample characterization,” said Dr. Holger Röhm from KIT’s Light Technology Institute (LTI), whose research team has set up the platform. “This allows us to conduct experiments with unprecedented precision and reproducibility. With the E-MAP, we can quickly identify which material compositions and production conditions are particularly promising for a specific application.”
A Modular Design with Flexible Expansion Options
E-MAP is part of a self-contained system. It can be used to process sensitive materials under controlled conditions. The platform produces thin films from solution-based source materials. A microfluidic system enables the automated synthesis and formulation of semiconductor inks. The researchers have continuously added new thin-film characterization techniques. “An essential advantage of E-MAP is its modular design,” said Professor Alexander Colsmann from KIT’s LTI. “We are able to integrate new experiments and characterization methods and thus adapt the platform to different scientific problems. It is also open to cooperation partners from science and industry who can input proprietary methods and equipment.”
From Automated Experiments to AI-based Materials Development
Automation creates large amounts of experimental data. The researchers are aiming to evaluate this data using AI methods that help them to identify promising material combinations early through virtual simulations and to control autonomous or semi-autonomous screening processes. To this end, the researchers integrate various automated research platforms. “Linking synthesis, processing, characterization, and data evaluation creates a research process that enables us to plan and conduct experiments based on data more effectively,” said Röhm.
About E-MAP
The Energy Materials Acceleration Platform (E-MAP) is a self-driving lab (SDL), i.e., a research platform that operates largely in an autonomous manner. Such SDLs are a central pillar of the German HighTech Agenda. The development of E-MAP started in 2023. For the technical equipment of the platform, KIT has allocated roughly EUR 600,000 so far. The Carl Zeiss Foundation has funded the development activities in recent years as part of the KeraSolar research project. E-MAP is integrated into the planned Helmholtz Acceleration Alliance (HELMA), which aims to establish a network of autonomous research platforms in the materials science and life sciences across multiple Helmholtz Centers.
More about the KIT Energy Center
In close partnership with society, KIT develops solutions for urgent challenges – from climate change, energy transition and sustainable use of natural resources to artificial intelligence, sovereignty and an aging population. As The University in the Helmholtz Association, KIT unites scientific excellence from insight to application-driven research under one roof – and is thus in a unique position to drive this transformation. As a University of Excellence, KIT offers its more than 10,000 employees and 23,000 students outstanding opportunities to shape a sustainable and resilient future. KIT – Science for Impact.