The project will establish a multidisciplinary center at the University of Chicago to develop innovative materials that significantly reduce the impact of climate change. The Center for Advanced Materials for Climate Mitigation (CAMCM) will initially focus on porous materials, whose cage-like structures are remarkably effective for trapping and releasing CO2 and other substances. In addition to seeking new materials, CAMCM aims to revolutionize the materials discovery process by using artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and robotics. Applying these tools can dramatically accelerate materials discovery, potentially reducing research timelines from years to months and helping to meet urgent climate deadlines. CAMCM will prioritize projects likely to yield practical breakthroughs, so scientific advancements translate into real-world benefits. The Center’s multidisciplinary team includes experts in materials science, chemistry, computer science, science communication through artistic endeavors, and other fields. Besides research, the Center will serve as a global hub for education and outreach in this field.
Addressing the threat of climate change necessitates, among other approaches, finding novel materials that can produce advanced applications for carbon capture, energy storage, efficient energy production, and other climate mitigation functions. To find and optimize solutions for climate change, CAMCM aims to accelerate the discovery of molecular-based materials, with special focus on porous materials, whose cage-like structure is remarkably effective for trapping and releasing CO2 and other substances. CAMCM will revolutionize the materials discovery process by using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics and will prioritize projects likely to yield practical breakthroughs, so scientific advancements translate into real-world benefits.
Laura Gagliardi, Department of Chemistry
