AI Science & Discovery
UCSB to Lead $20M NSF Cloud Lab for Materials
The $20 million COAST PCL initiative aims to accelerate soft-materials research using AI and robotics.
A high-tech laboratory with robotic arms and material samples, shown alongside a digital cloud-based control interface.
Photo: Kronos News
The National Science Foundation (NSF) selected UC Santa Barbara to lead the COAST PCL, a $20 million research initiative [1]. This project aims to build a cloud-based automated laboratory dedicated to soft-materials research [1]. By combining artificial intelligence with robotics, the facility will allow scientists to conduct experiments from remote locations [1].
The laboratory focuses on accelerating the discovery of new polymers and composites [1]. Researchers across the country can use AI-optimized workflows to design complex materials through the cloud-based system [1]. This integration of advanced instruments and automation aims to streamline the development of modern soft materials [1].
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