Predicting Catalyst Surface Stability Under Reaction Conditions Using Deep Reinforcement Learning and Machine Learning Potentials

Critical Need:
The DIFFERENTIATE program seeks to leverage the emerging artificial intelligence (AI) revolution to help resolve the energy and environmental challenges of our time. The program aims to speed energy innovation by incorporating machine learning (ML) into the energy technology development process. A core part of AI, ML is the study of computer algorithms that improve automatically through experience. This approach is expected to facilitate a rapid transition to lower-carbon-footprint energy sources and systems. To organize the proposed efforts, the program uses a simplified engineering design process framework to conceptualize several ML tools that could help engineers execute and solve these problems in a manner that dramatically accelerates the pace of energy innovation.
Project Innovation + Advantages:
Carnegie Mellon University will use deep reinforcement learning and atomistic machine learning potentials to predict catalyst surface stability under reaction conditions. Current methods for determining the metastability of bifunctional and complex surfaces undergoing reaction are difficult and expensive. Carnegie Mellon’s technology will enable stability analysis in both traditional catalysts and new classes of materials, including those used in tribology (friction), corrosion-resistant alloys, additive manufacturing, and battery materials.
Potential Impact:
DIFFERENTIATE aims to enhance the productivity of energy engineers in helping them to develop next-generation energy technologies. If successful, DIFFERENTIATE will yield the following benefits in ARPA-E mission areas:
Security:
Seek U.S. technological competitive advantage by leading the development of machine-learning enhanced engineering design tools.
Environment:
Use these tools to solve our most challenging energy and environmental problems by facilitating an economically attractive transition to lower carbon-footprint energy sources and systems.
Economy:
Reap the economic productivity benefits associated with the commercial adoption of the resulting higher-value energy technologies and associated products.
Contact
ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. David Tew
Project Contact:
Zachary Ulissi
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
zulissi@andrew.cmu.edu
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Release Date:
04/05/2019