CIC energiGUNE accelerates the discovery of new advanced materials through automation and artificial intelligence
The Basque research centre is developing MAITENA, an advanced platform capable of automating the synthesis, characterisation and analysis of electroactive materials.
The initiative combines robotics, machine learning and automated data analysis to reduce both the timeframes and costs associated with developing new chemistries for energy storage.
The development of new advanced materials requires a radical acceleration in the way technological solutions are discovered, synthesised and validated. In this context, CIC energiGUNE, a leading Basque centre specialising in energy storage and conversion, is driving the development of MAITENA (Materials Acceleration and Innovation plaTform for ENergy Applications), an advanced automation and artificial intelligence platform designed to transform research in inorganic materials.
The platform integrates automation tools, experimental design capabilities, advanced data analysis and active learning algorithms to accelerate multiple stages of materials development, from the identification of new chemical families through to their synthesis, characterisation and experimental validation.
“We are entering a new era in materials research, where automation and artificial intelligence will enable a significant acceleration in the development of new solutions. Although MAITENA originates in the field of batteries, the platform can be applied to the study and development of virtually any inorganic material, opening up opportunities across a wide range of sectors and applications, from energy to advanced electronics and the chemical industry,” explains Marine Reynaud.
MAITENA enables the automation of inorganic synthesis and characterisation processes through various modules that incorporate techniques such as X-ray diffraction and electrochemical analysis. In addition, the platform includes advanced tools for automated data processing and AI-driven experimental planning.
The increasing complexity of new functional materials makes it essential to combine experimental, digital and computational capabilities capable of accelerating decision-making and optimising laboratory resources. This type of platform also makes it possible to generate more reproducible results and to enhance the transfer of knowledge into industrial applications.
“Europe needs to accelerate its technological innovation capacity and develop its own tools to compete in terms of the speed of both scientific and industrial discovery. Platforms such as MAITENA help to connect materials science, digitalisation and industrialisation, thereby accelerating the market uptake of new technologies,” Reynaud adds.
The advancement of autonomous platforms and intelligent laboratories is thus paving the way for a new generation of materials research that is faster, more efficient and better aligned with the technological challenges faced by multiple industries.
