Researchers at the University of Tokyo have unveiled a fully automated digital laboratory system capable of autonomously synthesizing thin-film materials and evaluating their structural and physical properties. Known as the digital laboratory, or dLab, the system marks a significant advancement in robot- and data-driven materials science. By integrating automated material synthesis with in situ property analysis, dLab enables high-throughput experimentation and accelerates the discovery and development of novel materials. According to researchers, the breakthrough highlights the growing role of AI and robotics in streamlining and enhancing complex research processes in materials science. Researchers are shifting from traditional trial-and-error methods to automated, data-driven material discovery. Using robotics and machine learning, laboratories act like factories, producing and analyzing materials quickly. Robots can synthesize and test many samples, generating large amounts of process and measurement data. According to the research paper published by the University of Tokyo team, standardizing how materials are shaped and how data is collected is key to making this system efficient. While liquid samples have progressed, thin-film and solid materials still face challenges due to varied shapes and data formats.

Full report : Using dLab, researchers have autonomously synthesized lithium-ion battery cathode thin films and analyzed their structure with X-ray diffraction.