Special seminar: Autonomous Materials Synthesis on Demand (Andy Anker, DTU)

OCAMM organizes an exciting Special Seminar on autonomous laboratories by Prof. Andy Anker!

• Title: Autonomous Materials Synthesis on Demand
• Presenter: Prof. Andy Anker, Department of Energy Conversion and Storage, Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
• Place and time: School of Chemical Engineering main building (Kemistintie 1), Aalto University, lecture hall Ke2, Monday 16 November 2026. Coffee served at 14:00, seminar starts at 14:15.

Abstract

After two teaching lectures on self-driving laboratories, the trilogy reaches the research part: how can we actually use these systems to synthesise materials autonomously?

The discovery and synthesis of functional materials underpin advances in technologies ranging from energy storage to catalysis. Yet identifying suitable synthesis protocols is still largely based on trial-and-error experimentation. In this talk, I will present our work towards self-driving laboratories for inorganic materials synthesis, combining modular robotic experimentation, advanced X-ray characterisation, and machine learning in closed-loop platforms.

I will show experiments carried out at synchrotron facilities, where robotic synthesis is coupled directly to total X-ray scattering and pair distribution function analysis, providing atomic-scale structural information on the synthesised materials. These data are fed into Bayesian optimisation algorithms running on GPU-based computing infrastructure, which select the next synthesis experiment. Using this approach, we have autonomously developed synthesis protocols for targeted gold nanomaterials during synchrotron beamtime.

Building on these experiments, we are now developing similar autonomous platforms at DTU, integrating robotic synthesis, advanced characterisation, and machine learning within the laboratory. Our longer-term aim is to move from trial-and-error experimentation towards autonomous, data-driven materials synthesis on demand.

About the presenter

Andy Anker is Assistant Professor at the Department of Energy Conversion and Storage of the Technical University of Denmark (DTU Energy). His interests include nanomaterials, X-ray scattering, self-driving laboratories, total scattering with pair distribution function analysis, machine learning/AI, robotics and automation. Visit the DTU website for more information.