University of Liverpool unveils plans for £100m AI and robotics materials hub that will use artificial intelligence to help develop new materials and tech to boost innovation in multiple industries. Tony McDonough reports
A new £100m artificial intelligence (AI) hub at the University of Liverpool will help accelerate innovation and net zero in multiple industries.
Called the AI Materials Hub for Innovation (AIM-HI), this facility will be dedicated to accelerating the application of AI in materials chemistry. It will focus on areas such as catalysis, materials for net-zero, soft matter, and product formulation.
Catalysis relates to making chemical reactions happen faster and materials for net zero will focus on things such as better batteries or materials for wind turbines or solar panels.
Soft matter refers to materials used in the production of liquids, creams, paints, foods and cosmetics while product formulation looks at mixing ingredients to produce everyday products such as medicines, detergents or food.
Announced on Tuesday at the University’s annual Vice-Chancellor’s Conference, AIM-HI will feature research and translational spaces, as well as an innovation incubator designed to foster collaboration between academic and industrial researchers.
This facility aims to bridge the translational gap between academic research and industry implementation to accelerate the adoption of AI and robotics in materials science, boosting innovation and driving economic growth.
Due to open with funding from Government, industry and the university itself, it is estimated AIM-HI will create or support up to 900 “high-value” jobs across the UK and generate £400m in GVA.
It forms an important part of a new, capital building project of £111m for a purpose-built 100,000 sq ft facility for chemical sciences at the University of Liverpool, set to open in 2031.
Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, said: “This is a bold and forward-looking initiative to unlock the full potential of AI in advanced materials discovery.
“The University of Liverpool is a global leader in AI-driven materials research and industry collaboration, as demonstrated by the success of the Materials Innovation Factory (MIF).”
Opened in 2018, the MIF is an £81m centre of excellence for advanced materials discovery co-created with Unilever. It has generated more than £120m in competitive grant funding and supported hundreds of high value jobs.
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AIM-HI will apply the MIF’s successful academic-industry collaboration model at a national level. Prof Jones added: “AIM-HI represents the next step in our mission to accelerate materials science innovation.
“We are determined to put Liverpool – and the UK – at the forefront of the global AI revolution in materials discovery.”