{"id":139731,"date":"2024-02-29T07:35:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-29T06:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/?p=139731"},"modified":"2024-02-26T16:14:46","modified_gmt":"2024-02-26T15:14:46","slug":"a-sustainable-fuel-and-chemical-from-the-robotic-lab","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/a-sustainable-fuel-and-chemical-from-the-robotic-lab\/","title":{"rendered":"A sustainable fuel and chemical from the robotic lab"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.carousel.1278795623-1-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"This robotic arm transfers glass vials into a centrifuge. It is part of a robot unit that produces catalysts completely autonomously according to the specifications of an AI model\" class=\"wp-image-139792\" srcset=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.carousel.1278795623-1-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.carousel.1278795623-1-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.carousel.1278795623-1-150x75.jpg 150w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.carousel.1278795623-1-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.carousel.1278795623-1-1536x768.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.carousel.1278795623-1-400x200.jpg 400w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.carousel.1278795623-1.jpg 1999w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This robotic arm transfers glass vials into a centrifuge. It is part of a robot unit that produces catalysts completely autonomously according to the specifications of an AI model.\u00a0(Photograph: ETH Zurich \/ Michel B\u00fcchel)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>A new fully automated research infrastructure is accelerating the development of chemical catalysts at ETH Zurich. <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Artificial intelligence is part of the workflow.As a first demonstration project, researchers looked for better catalysts for the production of methanol.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The new technology platform will also speed up the development of other catalysts.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Catalysts are chemistry\u2019s hard-\u200bworking little helpers. They accelerate reactions and reduce the energy required for a reaction to take place. The more specific and effective a catalyst is, the more effectively any undesirable side reactions are suppressed. In nature, enzymes have the job of specifically boosting the required metabolic processes from among the almost infinite reaction possibilities of the chemical soup within cells. In chemical plants, metal catalysts are usually employed to increase product yield.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The researchers working on the Swiss Cat+ technology platform at ETH Zurich, led by Paco Laveille, have now developed a fully digitalised and automated method that enables them to find new and better metal catalysts much faster than before. Their process consists of a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) for calculating promising catalyst compositions and an automated synthesis and test laboratory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With this infrastructure, it took the team less than six weeks to successfully develop around 150 catalysts compositions for producing methanol from CO<sub>2<\/sub>. The best catalysts are cost-\u200beffective and exhibit high conversion rates with a low proportion of byproducts. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"499\" height=\"499\" src=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.fullwidth.427384058-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-139793\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;width:126px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.fullwidth.427384058-1.jpg 499w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.fullwidth.427384058-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.fullwidth.427384058-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.fullwidth.427384058-1-270x270.jpg 270w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 499px) 100vw, 499px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cThis new method saves a huge amount of time,\u201d <strong>Laveille<\/strong> says. \u201cWith a conventional approach, our experiments would have taken years.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Methanol is regarded as one of the key elements for a sustainable hydrocarbon economy. A close chemical relative of ethanol (i.e. drinking alcohol), the substance can be used both as a fuel and as a raw material for the production of organic compounds such as medicines, plastics or paints. Because it is a liquid, methanol is much easier to transport and store than gaseous hydrogen and methane, two other sources of energy. What\u2019s more, using methanol in the existing supply infrastructure and engines of today\u2019s petrol technology requires only minor modifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Narrowing down the possibilities through clever preselection<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the search for optimum catalysts for methanol production, there\u2019s one big problem: theoretically, atoms can be combined in an almost infinite number of ways to form a catalyst. \u201cThe chemical space in which we\u2019re searching for catalysts comprises around 10<sup>20<\/sup>\u00a0possibilities \u2013 that\u2019s one hundred billion billion. So we\u2019re literally looking for a needle in the chemical haystack,\u201d explains Christophe Cop\u00e9ret, a professor at the Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry at ETH Zurich and co-\u200binitiator of the Swiss Cat+ project.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"578\" src=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.1286.1743801613-1-1024x578.jpg\" alt=\"Precision scale of the robotic system. The system transfers solid and liquid raw chemicals into the glass vials in which the synthesis takes place.\" class=\"wp-image-139794\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.7716262975778547;width:813px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.1286.1743801613-1-1024x578.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.1286.1743801613-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.1286.1743801613-1-150x85.jpg 150w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.1286.1743801613-1-768x434.jpg 768w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.1286.1743801613-1-1536x867.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.1286.1743801613-1-400x226.jpg 400w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/image.imageformat.1286.1743801613-1.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Precision scale of the robotic system. The system transfers solid and liquid raw chemicals into the glass vials in which the synthesis takes place.\u00a0(Photograph: ETH Zurich \/ Michel B\u00fcchel)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>To narrow down the huge range of possibilities, the researchers made a preselection based on experience and economic requirements. A catalyst that can be used on a large scale needs to be not only effective but also inexpensive. For that reason, the main active ingredients for the catalyst were limited to three comparatively cheap metals: iron, copper and cobalt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to these main metals, the researchers considered three elements that are traditionally added to catalysts in small quantities for the purposes of doping, as well as potassium, which is also contained in many catalysts. As to carrier materials, the researchers limited themselves to four typical metal oxides. Multiplied by the different mixing ratios, this still resulted in 20 million possible combinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Taking iterative steps with AI-\u200bsupported statistics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>At this point, the researchers brought an AI algorithm into play that uses what is known as Bayesian optimisation to find the best possible solutions. This special form of statistics is particularly suitable when only a small amount of data is available. Unlike in classical statistics, the probability doesn\u2019t derive from the relative frequency as calculated from numerous experiments. Instead, the calculation takes into account the probability that can be expected based on the current state of knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the initial round, the algorithm randomly selected 24 catalyst compositions that met the specifications drawn up for the purposes of limiting the complexity. These catalysts were produced directly using the Swiss Cat+ automated laboratory infrastructure and then tested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Delivering lots of highly reliable results quickly<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The results of this initial selection served the researchers as the starting point for an AI prediction; the catalyst compositions thus predicted were in turn automatically synthesised and tested. For this first demonstration test, the scientists had their integrated system complete a total of six such rounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fact that the results improved between rounds not in a linear fashion, but rather by leaps and bounds, was entirely intentional: not only does the algorithm optimise the results of earlier rounds, it also includes an exploratory component that feeds completely new compositions into each round and learns about the chemical space. This is how the researchers prevented the calculations from getting stuck in an optimisation dead end amongst all the possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Generating data beyond petrochemicals<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In this first project, though, the researchers\u2019 primary concern wasn\u2019t to come up with the best possible catalyst for methanol synthesis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cAt present, knowledge about catalysts for fuel production is based predominantly on expertise from the oil industry,\u201d <strong>Cop\u00e9ret<\/strong> says. \u201cWhen it comes to reactions for use in the sustainable energy industry, reliable data is still largely lacking.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>However, AI algorithms and human research intelligence need that data before they can search in a more targeted way in the vast space of chemical possibilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cAnd that\u2019s precisely the kind of high-\u200bquality, reproducible data our AI-\u200bassisted robot laboratory now delivers. It\u2019s certain to take catalyst research a long way forward,\u201d <strong>Laveille<\/strong> adds.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Complex technology infrastructure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cThe Swiss Cat+ hub provides us with complex research infrastructure that we wouldn\u2019t be able to operate ourselves with the groups in our laboratories,\u201d explains <strong>Professor Christophe Cop\u00e9ret<\/strong> from the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences at ETH Zurich. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Research at universities is heavily dependent on doctoral students, but they stay only for a few years. Every time a doctoral student leaves, much of the expertise they have built up is lost. In contrast, Swiss Cat+ is a technology platform designed to work with permanently employed experts who are able to continuously develop their expertise and use the latest technologies to refine the infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Initiated in 2019 by Cop\u00e9ret and Nicolai Kramer, a professor at EPFL, the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/swisscatplus.ethz.ch\/\">Swiss Cat+ hub<\/a>&nbsp;now provides researchers from universities and industry with state-\u200bof-the-art infrastructure at two locations in Zurich and Lausanne. These make it possible to design catalysts with the help of AI data analysis tools, then produce them immediately in automated high-\u200bthroughput laboratories and test their effectiveness. Dozens of ETH projects are already using the two platforms.<a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"781\" height=\"601\" src=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/Bildschirmfoto-2024-02-26-um-16.10.39.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-139795\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.2995008319467554;width:754px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/Bildschirmfoto-2024-02-26-um-16.10.39.png 781w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/Bildschirmfoto-2024-02-26-um-16.10.39-300x231.png 300w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/Bildschirmfoto-2024-02-26-um-16.10.39-150x115.png 150w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/Bildschirmfoto-2024-02-26-um-16.10.39-768x591.png 768w, https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2024\/02\/Bildschirmfoto-2024-02-26-um-16.10.39-351x270.png 351w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 781px) 100vw, 781px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ramirez A, Lam E, Pacheco Gutierrez D, Hou Y, Tribukait H, Roch LM, Cop\u00e9ret C, Laveille P: Accelerated Exploration of Heterogenous CO2 Hydrogenation Catalyts by Bayesian-\u200boptimized High-\u200bthroughput and Automated Experimentation. Chem Catalysis, 18. Januar 2024, doi:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.checat.2023.100888\">external page10.1016\/j.checat.2023.100888call_made<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Laveille P, Mi\u00e9ville P, Chatterjee S, Clerc E, Cousty JC, de Nanteuil F, Lam E, Mariano E, Ramirez A, Randrianarisoa U, Villat K, Cop\u00e9ret C, Cramer N: Swiss Cat+, a Data-\u200bdriven Infrastructure for Accelerated Catalysts Discovery and Optimization. Chimia 2023, 77: 154, doi:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2533\/chimia.2023.154\">external page10.2533\/chimia.2023.154call_made<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Catalysts are chemistry\u2019s hard-\u200bworking little helpers. They accelerate reactions and reduce the energy required for a reaction to take place. The more specific and effective a catalyst is, the more effectively any undesirable side reactions are suppressed. In nature, enzymes have the job of specifically boosting the required metabolic processes from among the almost infinite [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","nova_meta_subtitle":"Artificial intelligence and automated laboratory infrastructure are massively accelerating the development of new chemical catalysts. With these tools, researchers at ETH Zurich are developing catalysts for efficiently and cost-\u200beffectively synthesising the energy source methanol from CO2","footnotes":""},"categories":[5571],"tags":[12535,12366,10408,13718,10743],"supplier":[277],"class_list":["post-139731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-co2-based","tag-catalysts","tag-fuels","tag-greenchemistry","tag-methanol","tag-useco2","supplier-eidgenoessische-technische-hochschule-zuerich-eth-zuerich"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139731","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=139731"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139731\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=139731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=139731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=139731"},{"taxonomy":"supplier","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/supplier?post=139731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}