MIT researchers have developed a fully autonomous experimental platform designed to accelerate the discovery of high-performing polymer blends, as detailed in a study published in the journal Matter.

This innovative platform employs a closed-loop workflow and a powerful algorithm that efficiently explores a wide range of polymer combinations, utilizing robotic systems for mixing and testing.

The system is capable of producing and testing up to 700 new polymer blends daily, significantly enhancing the efficiency of material discovery with minimal human intervention.

A genetic algorithm was implemented in the platform, refining polymer blend compositions iteratively to optimize selections based on desired properties.

The robotic system autonomously mixes chemicals and tests each blend, with the algorithm guiding subsequent experiments based on the results to meet user-defined goals.

During trials, the system identified numerous blends that outperformed their individual polymer components, underscoring the effectiveness of considering the entire design space.

The research indicates that blending existing polymers can lead to materials with enhanced properties, potentially advancing applications in battery electrolytes, solar panels, and drug delivery systems.

Among the findings, the optimal blends improved the thermal stability of enzymes, with the best blend achieving a retained enzymatic activity of 73%, outperforming any individual component by 18%.

The platform's workflow has potential applications in advancing technologies such as battery electrolytes, solar panels, and nanoparticles for drug delivery.

This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and the Class of 1947 Career Development Chair.

Future improvements to the platform may involve enhancing the algorithm's efficiency and adapting it for other applications, such as new plastics or battery materials.

The research team, which included Connor Coley, Guangqi Wu, Tianyi Jin, and Alfredo Alexander-Katz, focused on creating versatile polymers for various applications.