Achieving a balance between computational speed, prediction
accuracy,
and universal applicability in molecular simulations has been a persistent
challenge. This paper presents substantial advancements in TorchMD-Net
software, a pivotal step forward in the shift from conventional force
fields to neural network-based potentials. The evolution of TorchMD-Net
into a more comprehensive and versatile framework is highlighted,
incorporating cutting-edge architectures such as TensorNet. This transformation
is achieved through a modular design approach, encouraging customized
applications within the scientific community. The most notable enhancement
is a significant improvement in computational efficiency, achieving
a very remarkable acceleration in the computation of energy and forces
for TensorNet models, with performance gains ranging from 2×
to 10× over previous, nonoptimized, iterations. Other enhancements
include highly optimized neighbor search algorithms that support periodic
boundary conditions and smooth integration with existing molecular
dynamics frameworks. Additionally, the updated version introduces
the capability to integrate physical priors, further enriching its
application spectrum and utility in research. The software is available
at .