Autonomous multi-robot synthesis and optimization of metal halide perovskite nanocrystals
Metal halide perovskite (MHP) nanocrystals (NCs) offer extraordinary tunability in their optical properties, yet fully exploiting this potential is challenged by a vast and complex synthesis parameter space. Herein, we introduce Rainbow, a multi-robot self-driving laboratory that integrates automated NC synthesis, real-time characterization, and machine learning (ML)-driven decision-making to efficiently navigate MHP NCs' mixed-variable high-dimensional landscape. Using parallelized, miniaturized batch reactors, robotic sample handling, and continuous spectroscopic feedback, Rainbow autonomously optimizes MHP NC optical performance-including photoluminescence quantum yield and emission linewidth at a targeted emission energy-through closed-loop experimentation. By systematically exploring varying ligand structures and precursor conditions, Rainbow elucidates critical structure-property relationships and identifies scalable Pareto-optimal formulations for targeted spectral outputs. Rainbow provides a versatile blueprint for accelerated, data-driven discovery and retrosynthesis of high-performance metal halide perovskite nanocrystals, facilitating the on-demand realization of next-generation photonic materials and technologies.
Authors
- Nikolai Mukhin
- James A. Bennett (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3512-3356)
- Laura Politi
- Fazel Bateni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9509-7196)
- Arup Ghorai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0803-6417)
- Clifford M. Moran
- Milad Abolhasani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8863-3085)
- Fernando Delgado‐Licona (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3555-3353)
- K.S.A. Latif
- Jinge Xu
- Sina Sadeghi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0852-6680)
- Pragyan Jha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5430-8420)
- Andrew Cahn
Institutions
- North Carolina State University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-08-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63209-4
- Citations
- 6
- Primary Topic
- Perovskite Materials and Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.38
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- Research Opportunities Initiative, University of North Carolina