Soft Materials Initiative Seminar

Abstract: Carnegie Mellon University recently launched the Al Science Foundry, a 15,000 square foot semi-autonomous laboratory devoted to research across chemistry and biology. In this seminar, we will present a partnership with Covestro, a global leader in engineering materials, and the National Robotics Engineering Center at CMU in which we develop a platform for Al-guided development of thermoset resins in the CMU facility. The platform integrates polyurethane synthesis, resin processing, film coating and curing, and mechanical testing for applications in adhesives and coatings. While it requires a human-in-the-loop, the goal is to maximize the learning rate from experiments designed to elucidate the response surface of composition-property relationships. We will highlight the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and discuss new models for industrial research in collaboration with universities. In closing, we will present a vision for next steps in automating polymer engineering research.