Robotised screening for accelerated discovery of energy materials

A grand challenge for humanity is to discover new sustainable materials to solve many of the existing societal challenges. Currently this takes an alarming long time and consequently there is an urgent need for development and progress in the area. To meet these challenges, society requires new methodologies and techniques. We have for many years been working on an initiative to develop a robotised platform, Poseidon, to speed up the discovery of new materials in different application areas – currently with special focus on new materials for solar cells and batteries.

A fast transition towards the use of clean and green energy sources requires accelerated discovery of new sustainable energy materials. In this concept automation and robotics can play a key role. Consequently, we initiated the development a robotised platform, Poseidon, for the discovery of new candidate materials with special focus for batteries and solar cells. We have so far successfully presented proof of principle studies of the platform capabilities. Within the solar cell area we have utilised the robotic screening for discovery of novel less toxic materials for perovskite solar cells and also developed a unique robotised solar cell characterisation workflow. We have also demonstrated the function the robotic platform for a complete and robust screening procedure for water-based battery electrolyte systems from mixing to device performance characterisation. The water-based systems are much more environmentally friendly than the currently used hazardous systems. To accelerate the progress in Li-ion battery recycling we are currently also planning to implement a screening workflow for water-based reconditioning of electrodes.

Robotized materials screening and characterisation will catalyse and speed up new material discoveries in a number of research fields connected to the societal challenges of today, and impact a range of organisations performing fundamental research, both in the industry and academy. The research initiative has and will gain unique experience and competence of robotised screening in many fields, and identified novel systems have large potential for novel start-up initiatives and patents. Furthermore, the gained experienced will be the foundation for the development of the next generation modular and AI/MI based robotised screening platform.