A revolutionary autonomous laboratory system has been developed by researchers in the United States that can quickly identify the highest-performing materials for specific applications. The system, known as SmartDope, has the potential to significantly accelerate the process of discovering and developing advanced materials for optoelectronics and photonics devices.
Led by chemical engineer Milad Abolhasani from North Carolina State University, the team focused on the challenge of synthesizing best-in-class doped quantum dots, which are semiconductor nanocrystals with deliberately introduced impurities to enhance their optical and physicochemical properties. These doped quantum dots hold great promise for next-generation photovoltaic devices, such as solar cells.
Traditionally, it would take around ten years of laboratory experiments to identify the optimal synthesis technique for high-quality quantum dots. However, with the implementation of SmartDope, this time can be reduced to a matter of hours or days.
The autonomous system operates in a closed-loop fashion. Researchers provide the system with precursor chemicals and specify their goal, such as finding doped perovskite quantum dots with the highest quantum yield. The system then conducts the experiments autonomously, manipulating variables and characterizing the optical properties of the produced quantum dots. Machine learning algorithms analyze the results and continuously update their understanding of the synthesis chemistry, enabling the system to optimize the quantum dots’ properties and quickly identify the best recipe for their creation.
The researchers successfully utilized SmartDope to identify the ideal synthesis method for metal cation-doped lead halide perovskite quantum dots. In just one day, the system achieved a record-breaking photoluminescence quantum yield of 158%, surpassing the previous record of 130%.
The implications of this work are significant, particularly for renewable energies. SmartDope’s ability to swiftly identify and optimize advanced functional materials opens up new possibilities for improving the efficiency of solar cells. The researchers are further refining the system and exploring collaborations with industry partners to implement SmartDope in real-world settings. The goal is to continue leveraging the power of autonomous labs to drive rapid advancements in chemical and materials science.
The source of the article is from the blog klikeri.rs