Self-Driving Laboratory for Polymer Electronics

Abstract

Owing to the chemical pluripotency and viscoelastic nature of electronic polymers, polymer electronics have shown unique advances in many emerging applications such as skin-like electronics, large-area printed energy devices, and neuromorphic computing devices, but their development period is years-long. Recent advancements in automation, robotics, and learning algorithms have led to a growing number of self-driving (autonomous) laboratories that have begun to revolutionize the development and accelerated discovery of materials. In this perspective, we first introduce the current state of autonomous laboratories. Then we analyze why it is challenging to conduct polymer electronics research by an autonomous laboratory and highlight the needs. We further discuss our efforts in building an autonomous laboratory, namely Polybot, for the automated synthesis and characterization of electronic polymers and their processing and fabrication into electronic devices. Finally, we share our vision in using a self-driving laboratory for different types of polymer electronics research.

Synthesis and exceptional operational durability of polyaniline-inspired conductive ladder polymers

“…To further explore the doping formula and testing conditions for achieving high conductivity of P1a_PS in the thin film state, an automated solution processing and characterization systemin the self-driving laboratory named Polybot was employed. 36 This platform comprises an enclosed frame with a N 2 environment, liquid and substrate/vials handling system, coating station with programmable speed, annealing stage, electronic characterization systems and on-line data analysis. Various films of acid-doped P1a_PS were coated on SiO 2 substrates for quick screening.…”

From Solution to Thin Film: Molecular Assembly of π-Conjugated Systems and Impact on (Opto)electronic Properties

“…They also developed AMANDA Line One­(autonomous materials and device application platform), an automated OSC fabrication and characterization platform to optimize PCE and photostability of PM6:Y6 blend devices . Just very recently, Xu and collaborators developed Polybot self-driven laboratories that integrates automated synthesis, characterizations, device testing and machine learning to accelerate polymer electronics research …”

“…654 Just very recently, Xu and collaborators developed Polybot self-driven laboratories that integrates automated synthesis, characterizations, device testing and machine learning to accelerate polymer electronics research. 655 These autonomous robotic platforms have paved the way for high-throughput generation of consistent, abundant, and highquality experimental data on molecular and device properties which is crucial for ML-based property prediction. Further integrating automated experiments with AI/ML enables inverse design of materials and processing parameters, making it possible to "close the feedback loop" between material design, processing, and device properties.…”

Towards a modular architecture for science factories

“…Jie Xu and her team have developed an SDL 63 for the autonomous synthesis of electrochromic polymers (ECPs), a type of polymer material employed in applications such as smart windows, displays, and energy-efficient devices. 64 The use of polymer materials for such applications can offer diversity and ease at synthesizability following simple synthetic steps.…”