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Semiconductors and Microelectronics Technology Seminar - Taro Hitosugi, Friday, May 16th at 1:30pm PST in EEB 248

Speaker: Taro Hitosugi, Department of Chemistry, The University of Tokyo

Talk Title: Autonomous experiments for thin films and solid materials

Series: Semiconductors & Microelectronics Technology

Abstract: Autonomous experiments, integrating machine learning and robotics, are revolutionizing materials science research. This approach accelerates the discovery and optimization of novel materials by automating the experimental process and enabling the exploration of vast parameter spaces. We present an autonomous experimental system for thin-film materials research. This system automates all stages of the experimental process, including sample handling, thin-film deposition, optimization of growth conditions, and comprehensive data acquisition (X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, Raman spectroscopy, etc.). By combining robotic control with Bayesian optimization, our system autonomously explores the parameter space and identifies optimal conditions. We demonstrate this approach by synthesizing and maximizing the electrical conductivity of Nb-doped TiO2 thin films. Furthermore, this autonomous system has enabled the discovery of new ionic conductors. This work highlights the potential of autonomous experimentation for accelerating materials science research, particularly for solid-state materials. We are currently developing an autonomous experimental system for synthesizing bulk materials.

Biography: Taro Hitosugi is a Professor of Chemistry at The University of Tokyo. He received his Ph.D. from The University of Tokyo in 1999 and began his career at Sony Corporation. In 2003, he transitioned to academia, holding positions as an Assistant Professor at The University of Tokyo and Associate Professor at Tohoku University before becoming a full professor at the Tokyo Institute of Technology in 2015. He returned to The University of Tokyo in 2022. An expert in solid-state chemistry, thin film, and surface and interface science, Professor Hitosugi's research focuses on materials for electronics and energy applications. His work includes the development of autonomous material synthesis using machine learning and robotics to accelerate materials science research. He has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications in leading academic journals. He serves on the editorial advisory board of APL Materials and as an associate editor for Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (STAM). Professor Hitosugi contributes his expertise to the Cabinet Office's "Materials Strategy" and the Science Council of Japan.

Host: Joshua Yang, Chongwu Zhou, Steve Cronin and Wei Wu

More Information: Taro Hitosugi_2024-05-16.pdf

Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Marilyn Poplawski

This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.

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