ULRI's Materials Discovery Laboratory: Pioneering the Future of Materials Science
MDRI Director of Research Jorge González, at right, describes specialist adsorption instrumentation used to understand material surfaces during a tour as MDRI scientists Conor Brew, far left, and Sung Hwan Park listen in along with ULRI Real Estate & Facilities Program Manager Dan Barber.
In a groundbreaking move towards accelerating the future of materials discovery, UL Research Institutes (ULRI) has officially launched its cutting-edge Materials Discovery Research Institute (MDRI) laboratory in Skokie, IL. This state-of-the-art facility, designed with sustainability and advanced research in mind, marks a significant leap forward in materials science, promising to enhance innovation in various industries. Dr. Stuart Miller, MDRI's vice president and executive director, is deeply involved in the development and execution of this initiative. During a recent interview with Lab Design News, Miller provided insights into the laboratory's mission, design, and capabilities.
A visionary approach to materials science
The Materials Discovery Laboratory is not just a typical research facility; it embodies UL Research Institutes' mission to advance public safety through scientific research and technological innovation. The laboratory focuses on exploring and identifying new materials that could revolutionize various industries, from electronics and construction to healthcare and energy.
Miller emphasizes that the laboratory's work will center on AI-driven materials discovery, a crucial element that distinguishes it from conventional research facilities. By incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, researchers can sift through vast datasets to more efficiently uncover new material combinations and properties. This digital-first approach is expected to drastically reduce the time it takes to identify materials that meet specific safety, performance, and sustainability standards.
"From the very first point when pencil hit paper, safety was in our mind. With that, we also want to be able to create an open and welcoming space," says Miller. "So there are a lot of glass walls, glass partitions in the lab to let natural light through in as much space as possible, and it also provides direct view from the lab or the office into the lab."
Design and construction: A collaborative effort
Jeff Wu, MDRI’s lead research scientist, explains how the lab’s innovative NanoPrinter accelerates discovery by combining the generation, combination and deposition of nanoparticles into a single automated process. Listening are MDRI scientist Ying Shi, far left, ULRI Lab Innovation & Technology Director Craig Hamill, and ULRI Executive Assistant Irene Stathoulopoulos.
Creating the Materials Discovery Laboratory was a collaborative endeavor that brought together experts from various fields. As Miller explained, the project's success was made possible through partnerships with key players like HED (Harley Ellis Devereaux), who led the architectural design, and AEI (Affiliated Engineers, Inc.), who oversaw the engineering aspects of the project. PMA (Project Management Advisors, Inc.) served as the consultant, ensuring that the project met its goals on time and within budget, while Skender Construction acted as the general contractor, bringing the design to life.
Miller credited these partners for their expertise in creating a functional and flexible research facility. The laboratory was designed with an open floor plan to foster collaboration among researchers, while specialized zones were incorporated for different types of experiments. These zones are equipped with modular infrastructure that can be easily reconfigured to accommodate new research needs as they arise.
"We have a really good rapport with [the project team], a really good rapport, and I couldn't be more complimentary to the skills that each of them brought to the process," says Miller. "They've done their design walk-throughs and made sure that the design and the implementation of the lab meets the criteria that was set at the beginning of the project. I couldn't be happier with the way that the lab has turned out."
"It's been two years. It's consumed two years of my life to get to the point where we had the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Now I'm in this beautiful position where I get to focus on the science rather than the lab," he adds.
Advanced instrumentation and digital infrastructure
Introducing MDRI’s new state-of-the-art laboratory, MDRI executive director Stuart Miller discusses how the lab is tackling global safety challenges like climate change and the risks to humanity it poses. All images: UL Research Institutes
One of the standout features of the Materials Discovery Laboratory is its advanced instrumentation. The facility is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment for precise experimentation and data collection. Miller noted that these tools are essential for the laboratory's mission to drive innovation, particularly when developing materials for critical applications like clean energy and healthcare technologies.
Moreover, the laboratory's digital infrastructure is designed to support data-driven research at an unprecedented scale. By integrating cloud-based systems and automated instrumentation, the laboratory enables real-time data analysis and collaboration among scientists worldwide. This approach accelerates the research process and ensures that discoveries are made in a highly collaborative environment, benefiting from diverse perspectives and expertise.
"I think the unique challenges with the digital-first infrastructure, fortunately, don't happen in any lab space. It's how you build that digital architecture," says Miller, commenting that it took about 18 months to be able to design how the company stores its data. He adds that the goal was to create a lab space where researchers from all over the world could feel at home, with iPads available at the lab entrance so employees could come in and immediately pick up their tablets and begin their rounds.
The facility's AI-powered systems also play a key role in predictive modeling, allowing researchers to simulate material behaviors and properties before they are physically tested. This capability drastically reduces trial-and-error experimentation, saving both time and resources.
Sustainability, safety, and flexibility
Materials being cooled in liquid nitrogen within the MDRI lab to enable an understanding of the material’s surfaces.
Sustainability is at the heart of the laboratory's operations. From its energy-efficient design to its focus on materials that can enhance environmental safety, the laboratory is setting new standards in sustainable research practices. One key area of focus for the lab is the development of materials that can help reduce carbon emissions in industries like construction and manufacturing.
Miller explained that the laboratory's work on sustainable materials has the potential to influence global industries. By discovering materials that are not only high-performing but also environmentally friendly, UL Research Institutes aims to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including climate change and resource depletion.
The laboratory's sustainable design was also a key focus throughout the project. By implementing energy-efficient HVAC systems, maximizing natural light, and utilizing eco-friendly building materials, the design team ensured that the laboratory aligns with UL Research Institutes' commitment to sustainability.
Public safety is another cornerstone of the laboratory's mission. As UL Research Institutes has long been a leader in developing safety standards, the Materials Discovery Laboratory will continue this legacy by focusing on materials that can enhance safety across various applications. Whether creating fire-resistant materials for construction or developing safer batteries for electronics, the laboratory's work is expected to impact public safety worldwide significantly.
The lab was designed flexibly, so major overhauls aren't needed when more staff are hired or research advances. Except for one large piece of equipment, "Nothing is floor-mounted. Nothing is stuck to the floor. Nothing's bolted into the floor," says Miller. "The concept is that you can go into our labs, and if we got direction from our board of trustees that we had to shift our focus, I can turn around the lab in less than a day. He adds that the electrical, data, and gas all come in from ceiling surface panels, and the lab furniture is freestanding and on wheels, offering even more flexibility to accommodate future lab growth.
MDRI scientist Danielle Hutchison works in one of the lab’s automated synthesis platforms that facilitates accelerated materials discovery.
Collaboration and innovation: The future of materials discovery
Collaboration is a recurring theme in the laboratory's operations. As Miller highlights, the facility is designed to foster partnerships within UL Research Institutes and with external academic institutions, private industry, and government agencies. These collaborations are essential for ensuring that the laboratory discoveries are translated into real-world applications that benefit society.
In addition to its focus on collaboration, the laboratory is committed to nurturing the next generation of materials scientists. By providing a state-of-the-art environment where students and early-career researchers can work alongside seasoned experts, the facility will play a key role in advancing materials science for years to come.
Miller also mentioned the importance of fostering a culture of innovation within the lab. Researchers are encouraged to think creatively and explore unconventional approaches to materials discovery. The laboratory's flexible design supports this culture of innovation, allowing for quick adaptation to new research needs and technologies.
Even with the constant advancements in automation, Miller stresses that human input and interaction are crucial to a lab's success. "You need to be able to create an environment that you bring everybody to the table.," he says. "We're at a point where you get so much deep contribution from people that aren't in a traditional lab environment. They're coders and programmers and statisticians, and bringing everybody to the table to be able to enable that is deeply important."
A sample is analyzed by X-rays in the MDRI lab, enabling an understanding of the structure of the material at the atomic scale.
The launch of UL Research Institutes' Materials Discovery Laboratory marks the beginning of a new era in materials science. The laboratory is poised to contribute significantly to a wide range of industries by combining cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and a collaborative approach.
As Miller emphasized, the laboratory's focus on AI-driven research and digital infrastructure will enable researchers to uncover new materials faster and more efficiently. This, coupled with the laboratory's commitment to sustainability and public safety, ensures that its work will have a lasting impact on the scientific community and society.
The future of materials discovery is bright, and the UL Research Institutes' Materials Discovery Laboratory facility is set to shape the future of materials science—creating safer, more sustainable, and ultimately transformative solutions for industries across the globe.
The benefit to a thoughtfully designed lab, says Miller, is that "we can design with these core principles of, 'we don't know where our future is and who our future employees are.' We really are determined to get the best minds that are attracted to our vision and our mission, and make sure that the Institute is designed to accommodate everyone."
