An FAU researcher has earned a National Science Foundation CAREER award to study why amine-based sorbents used in pollution control degrade over time. By uncovering molecular-level mechanisms behind this breakdown, the project aims to improve the durability and efficiency of materials used to capture carbon dioxide, toxic gases, heavy metals and “forever chemicals,” with potential benefits for air and water purification, sustainability and energy systems.

Insilico Medicine announced LabClaw, an intelligent laboratory operating system designed to enable autonomous coordination across AI-driven drug discovery workflows. Integrated with the company’s automated LifeStar2 laboratory, the system combines AI-based decision-making, robotic execution, and human oversight within a unified framework.

LabClaw connects target identification, experimental design, automated execution, and data analysis into a closed-loop process supported by multiple specialized AI agents. The platform also incorporates human-in-the-loop validation at key steps to ensure scientific and regulatory oversight.

The system is designed to address limitations of existing laboratory automation, including rigid workflows, fragmented data integration, and high coordination demands. By enabling natural language-driven experimental design and real-time data feedback, LabClaw supports more flexible and scalable research operations.

The development represents a step toward fully integrated, AI-enabled laboratory systems that link computational prediction with experimental validation to accelerate drug discovery.

New research finds higher temperatures can actually benefit some bumble bee species – particularly those that make subterranean nests. However, periods of extreme heat appear to offset those benefits, and may contribute to declining bumble bee populations in the southeastern United States.