AI-Powered Materials Discovery Workshop

Article by Hanna DeLange at USD.

The University of South Dakota has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to host a workshop on June 23-25, 2025, focused on AI-powered materials discovery in the Great Plains.

Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the AI-Powered Materials Discovery Workshop aims to harness AI’s capabilities to revolutionize materials research.

The workshop, hosted by USD, is designed to build on broader AI momentum by uniting top experts, researchers, and students to discuss the latest breakthroughs in AI-driven materials science.

Scheduled for June 23-25, 2025, the workshop will feature 24 sessions, keynote presentations, and panel discussions exploring AI’s role in materials science.

Experts from diverse disciplines, including physics, chemistry, computer science, data science, biomedical science and engineering, will come together to pave the way for transformative advancements in the field.

The announcement of this year’s Nobel Prizes in both physics and chemistry being awarded to pioneers in AI marks a transformative moment in science. The prizes underscore how AI has evolved into a crucial tool for advancing fundamental research.

The Nobel Prize in physics was awarded for groundbreaking work in utilizing AI to model complex physical systems, while the chemistry prize celebrated AI’s contribution to drug discovery and the design of new materials.

These achievements illustrate AI’s power to transcend traditional scientific boundaries, creating unprecedented possibilities for discovery and innovation.

Focusing on the Great Plains region, the workshop aims to foster collaboration and accelerate leading-edge AI research in materials discovery. Topics will cover AI applications in speeding up identification of materials for energy storage, catalysis, and electronics, along with enhancing the understanding of fundamental material properties.

This workshop represents a vital step toward establishing the Great Plains as a hub for AI research and innovation. More than an academic event, it will create a platform for shaping the future of materials science, offering young researchers and seasoned professionals an opportunity to engage in thought-provoking collaboration.

“The timing couldn’t be more perfect,” said workshop organizer and USD professor Dongming Mei, Ph.D. “With this year’s Nobel Prizes celebrating AI’s contributions to physics and chemistry, we are inspired to push the frontiers of what AI can achieve in materials research. This workshop is poised to spark new collaborations and innovations that could leave a lasting impact on science and industry.”

The NSF-funded initiative demonstrates USD’s commitment to advancing AI research and education in the region. Through events like the AI-Powered Materials Discovery Workshop, USD continues to lead efforts in promoting AI-related research, creating new learning opportunities for students and reinforcing its position as a pioneer in the field.

More information on the AI-Powered Materials Discovery Workshop is available at https://aimaterialsworkshop.org.