AI, Machine Learning & Autonomous Labs

Depiction of robots etching semiconductors

 At the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (UChicago PME), researchers are pioneering the frontier of scientific discovery by integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics into AI-guided “self-driving labs.” Through advanced platforms like Polybot, developed in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory, these autonomous systems manage increasingly complex workflows to rapidly synthesize and analyze new materials—such as new circular by design polymers, electronic materials for flexible electronics and low-power computing, and novel electrolytes, membrane and electrodes for next-generation batteries—compressing decades of traditional experimentation into weeks.  Deeply committed to preparing the next generation of pioneers, UChicago PME integrates these breakthroughs into the classroom through training future engineers at the intersection of AI, materials science, and sustainability to tackle the world's most pressing global challenges.

Faculty

Chibueze Amanchukwu

Chibueze Amanchukwu

Neubauer Family Assistant Professor of Molecular Engineering, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Research Topics
Materials and Sustainability
Research and Scholarly Interests
Energy
Electrochemistry
Batteries
Polymers
Electrolytes
Research Groups
Amanchukwu Lab
Junhong Chen

Junhong Chen

Crown Family Professor of Molecular Engineering, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering; Lead Water Strategist at Argonne National Laboratory
Research Topics
Materials and Sustainability
Research and Scholarly Interests
Hybrid Nanomaterials
2D Nanomaterials
Chemical and Biological Sensors
Energy Devices
Andrew Ferguson

Andrew Ferguson

Professor of Molecular Engineering, Vice Dean for Education and Outreach, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Research Topics
Immunoengineering and Bioengineering
Materials and Sustainability
Research and Scholarly Interests
Molecular Simulation
Statistical Thermodynamics
Machine Learning
Inverse Materials Design
Enhanced Sampling
Protein Folding
Self-Assembly
Research Groups
Ferguson Lab
Laura Gagliardi

Laura Gagliardi

Richard and Kathy Leventhal Professor, Department of Chemistry, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, and the James Franck Institute; Director of the Catalyst Design for Decarbonization Center; Director of the Center for Advanced Materials for Environmental Solutions (CAMES)
Research Topics
Quantum Science and Engineering
Materials and Sustainability
Research and Scholarly Interests
Quantum chemical methods development
Catalysis
Spectroscopy
Photochemistry
Gas separation
Actinides
Quantum Materials
Research Groups
Gagliardi Group
Giulia Galli

Giulia Galli

Liew Family Professor of Electronic Structure and Simulations, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry
Research Topics
Materials and Sustainability
Quantum Science and Engineering
Research and Scholarly Interests
Theoretical and Computational Modeling of Materials for Renewable Energy Sources and Quantum Information Technologies
Research Groups
Galli Group
Margaret L. Gardel

Margaret L. Gardel

Edward L. Ryerson Distinguished Service Professor, Departments of Physics and Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and the College
Research Topics
Immunoengineering and Bioengineering
Materials and Sustainability
Research and Scholarly Interests
Cell and Tissue Mechanics
Polymer Physics
Cell Adhesion and Migration
Research Groups
Gardel Lab
Supratik Guha

Supratik Guha

Professor, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering; Senior Advisor to Argonne Physical Sciences and Engineering
Research Topics
Materials and Sustainability
Quantum Science and Engineering
Arts, Sciences, and Technology
Research and Scholarly Interests
The discovery science and heterogeneous integration of new materials and devices for quantum and microelectronics technologies
Research Groups
Guha Lab
Po-Chun Hsu

Po-Chun Hsu

Assistant Professor of Molecular Engineering, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Research Topics
Materials and Sustainability
Research and Scholarly Interests
Dynamic Metamaterials
Electrochemistry
Heat Transfer
Carbon Capture
Nano/Microfibers
Artificial Intelligence
Research Groups
Hsu Group
Chong Liu

Chong Liu

Associate Professor of Molecular Engineering, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Research Topics
Materials and Sustainability
Research and Scholarly Interests
Materials Science
Electrochemistry
Water
Energy
Separation
Research Groups
Liu Group
Y. Shirley Meng

Y. Shirley Meng

Liew Family Professor in Molecular Engineering, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Research Topics
Materials and Sustainability
Research and Scholarly Interests
Batteries
Energy
Shrayesh Patel

Shrayesh Patel

Associate Professor of Molecular Engineering, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Research Topics
Materials and Sustainability
Research and Scholarly Interests
Functional Polymers
Block Copolymers
Batteries
Thermoelectrics
Organic Electronics
Research Groups
Patel Group
Stuart Rowan

Stuart Rowan FRS

Interim Dean, Barry L. MacLean Professor for Molecular Engineering Innovation and Enterprise, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Research Topics
Materials and Sustainability
Research and Scholarly Interests
Polymeric Materials
Polymer Synthesis
Polymer Sustainability
Supramolecular Chemistry
Dynamic Covalent Chemistry
Research Groups
Rowan Group
Sihong Wang

Sihong Wang

Associate Professor of Molecular Engineering, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Research Topics
Materials and Sustainability
Immunoengineering and Bioengineering
Research and Scholarly Interests
Soft Electronic Materials and Devices
Bio-electronics
Organic Electronics
Functional Polymers
Energy Harvesting
Nanotechnology
Research Groups
Wang Group
Jie Xu

Jie Xu

Assistant Professor of Molecular Engineering, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Research Topics
Materials and Sustainability
Research and Scholarly Interests
Autonomous Materials Discovery
Electronic Polymers
Polymer Packing, Phase Behavior, and Dynamics
Circular Polymer Design
Research Groups
Xu Research Group, Polybot