University of Chicago Unveils Midwest’s First Autonomous Lab

Automated experimentation is advancing at the University of Chicago, where researchers have introduced a laboratory system that operates without direct human involvement. This development marks the first autonomous laboratory of its kind in the Midwest, according to institutional sources.

The laboratory, created at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, integrates robotics and artificial intelligence to manage thin-film experiments. The system is designed to independently run, monitor, and adjust experiments, reducing the need for manual oversight by researchers.

Assistant Professor Shuolong Yang stated that the combination of artificial intelligence and robotic engineering in the system allows for faster completion of experimental tasks that would otherwise require weeks or months. The system’s framework is intended to accelerate the pace of materials discovery by automating repetitive laboratory processes.

PhD student Bill Zheng said that this approach enables researchers to focus on higher-level scientific questions, as the system handles routine experimental tasks. The team reported that the lab successfully optimized silver thin films to achieve specific optical properties in an average of 2.3 experimental attempts, completing the process in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods.

What the numbers show

• The prototype system was built for less than $100,000
• Optimization of silver thin films averaged 2.3 experimental runs
• The system completed in dozens of runs what typically takes weeks for humans

The cost of the prototype was reported to be an order of magnitude lower than that of previous commercial self-driving film synthesis systems. This lower cost could make autonomous experimentation more accessible to research institutions.

Yang stated that quantum materials developed using the autonomous lab may contribute to reducing energy consumption in data centers. The research team indicated that the system’s ability to rapidly test and refine materials could support further advancements in this area.

Funding for the project has been secured through a grant for another year, with continued support planned from the university after the grant period. The research group intends to maintain and expand the autonomous laboratory’s capabilities as part of ongoing materials science efforts.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.