When AIs take over planning:Self-driving laboratories in catalysis research

In self-driving laboratories (SDLs), AI takes over the planning of increasingly automated and robotized experiments. In just a few weeks and with fewer than 100 experiments performed, a novel catalyst composition was identified whose effect is comparable to that of compositions found in decades of empirical research. The acceleration of traditional R&D cycles made possible by SDLs could be a key to addressing pressing issues such as the sustainable production of green hydrogen or non-fossil fuels.