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Title: The future of self-driving laboratories: from human in the loop interactive AI to gamification

Journal Article · · Digital Discovery
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d4dd00040d · OSTI ID:2332890
ORCiD logo [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [3];  [4]; ORCiD logo [1]
  1. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
  2. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States); Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
  3. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
  4. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States); Thermo Fisher Scientific, Carlsbad, CA (United States)

Recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), implemented through self-driving laboratories (SDLs), are rapidly creating unprecedented opportunities for the accelerated discovery and optimization of materials. This paper provides a joint analysis of SDLs from both academic and industry perspectives, highlighting the importance of integrating human intelligence in these systems. It discusses the necessity of careful planning in SDL design across physical, data, and workflow dimensions, including instrumental setup, experimental workflow, data management, and human–SDL interaction. The significance of integrating human input within SDLs, especially as the focus shifts from individual tools and tasks to the creation and management of complex workflows, is emphasized. The paper stresses on the crucial role of reward function design in developing forward-looking workflows and examines the interplay between hardware evolution, ML application across chemical processes, and the influence of reward systems in research. Ultimately, the article advocates for a future where SDLs blend human intuition in hypothesis formulation with AI's precision, speed, and data-handling capabilities.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR); USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Nuclear Physics (NP); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES); National Science Foundation (NSF); Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0021118; AC05-00OR22725; 2043205; FG-2022-18275; AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
2332890
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 2406774; OSTI ID: 2438546; OSTI ID: 2507329
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-193852
Journal Information:
Digital Discovery, Vol. 3, Issue 4; ISSN 2635-098X
Publisher:
Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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