Automation and machine learning augmented by large language models in a catalysis study

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence and automation are transforming catalyst discovery and design from traditional trial-and-error manual mode into intelligent, high-throughput digital methodologies. This transformation is driven by four key components, including high-throughput information extraction, automated robotic experimentation, real-time feedback for iterative optimization, and interpretable machine learning for generating new knowledge. These innovations have given rise to the development of self-driving labs and significantly accelerated materials research. Over the past two years, the emergence of large language models (LLMs) has added a new dimension to this field, providing unprecedented flexibility in information integration, decision-making, and interacting with human researchers. This review explores how LLMs are reshaping catalyst design, heralding a revolutionary change in the fields.

Mixtures Recomposition by Neural Nets: A Multidisciplinary Overview

Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) are transforming how we understand chemical mixtures, providing an expressive view of the chemical space and multiscale processes. Their hybridization with physical knowledge can bridge the gap between predictivity and understanding of the underlying processes. This overview explores recent progress in ANNs, particularly their potential in the 'recomposition' of chemical mixtures. Graph-based representations reveal patterns among mixture components, and deep learning models excel in capturing complexity and symmetries when compared to traditional Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship models. Key components, such as Hamiltonian networks and convolution operations, play a central role in representing multiscale mixtures. The integration of ANNs with Chemical Reaction Networks and Physics-Informed Neural Networks for inverse chemical kinetic problems is also examined. The combination of sensors with ANNs shows promise in optical and biomimetic applications. A common ground is identified in the context of statistical physics, where ANN-based methods iteratively adapt their models by blending their initial states with training data. The concept of mixture recomposition unveils a reciprocal inspiration between ANNs and reactive mixtures, highlighting learning behaviors influenced by the training environment.

Direct prediction of steam cracking products from naphtha bulk properties: Application of the two sub-networks ANN

Steam cracking of naphtha is an important process for the production of olefins. Applying artificial intelligence helps achieve high-frequency real-time optimization strategy and process control. This work employs an artificial neural network (ANN) model with two sub-networks to simulate the naphtha steam cracking process. In the first feedstock composition ANN, the detailed feedstock compositions are determined from the limited naphtha bulk properties. In the second reactor ANN, the cracking product yields are predicted from the feedstock compositions and operating conditions. The combination of these two sub-networks has the ability to accurately and rapidly predict the product yields directly from naphtha bulk properties. Two different feedstock composition ANN strategies are proposed and compared. The results show that with the special design of dividing the output layer into five groups of PIONA, the prediction accuracy of product yields is significantly improved. The mean absolute error of 11 cracking products is 0.53wt% for 472 test sets. The comparison results show that this indirect feedstock composition ANN has lower product prediction errors, not just the reduction of the total error of the feedstock composition. The critical factor is ensuring that PIONA contents are equal to the actual values. The use of an indirect feedstock composition strategy is a means that can effectively improve the prediction accuracy of the whole ANN model.